| Conditions or Reasons for Planning Application - CB/23/03465/FULL |
| Conditions or Reasons: | | 1)
The proposed development represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt, which is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt, and does not fall within the exception criteria. The proposal would be detrimental to the visual amenity of the Green Belt and its openness would be significantly reduced both spatially and visually. The application is unsupported by very special circumstances that would not outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, and any other identified harm. The proposal is therefore contrary to Section 13 (Protecting Green Belt land) of the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2023) and Policy SP4 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2015-2035). |
| 2)
The proposed development and associated access and highway works, resulting in the complete development of the plot and the provision of terraced, inward facing properties, with garden sizes below minimum space standards, in close proximity to the treed boundaries of the site, would be cramped and over-intensive and contrary to the existing grain of development. The development would also result in the urbanisation of Studham Lane and the loss of trees along the perimeter of the site. The development would thereby cause harm to the character and appearance of the area and would fail to conserve and enhance the special qualities, distinctive character, tranquillity and remoteness of the Chilterns AONB. The proposal is thereby contrary to Policies SP7, HQ1, EE5 EE7 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2015-2035), the CBC Design Guide (August 2023) and Sections 12 (Achieving Well-Designed Places) and 15 (Conserving and enhancing the natural environment) of the National Planning Policy Framework (2023). |
| 3)
The proposed development presents over-development of the site which, by virtue of its cramped nature would result in future nuisance and conflict with the surrounding established landscape and tree boundaries. This would be to the extent that the long-term sustainability and longevity of these landscape features would be undermined by the proposal and the development would be likely to result in a loss of such features and a biodiversity net loss. The proposal would thereby be contrary to Policies EE4 and EE2 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2015-2035) and Section 15 (Conserving and enhancing the natural environment) of the National Planning Policy Framework (2023) |
| 4)
The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed development would, by reason of its proximity lying within a 12.6k metre linear distance of the Ashridge Commons and Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest within the Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation, add to the recreational disturbance in this area, likely to harm the integrity of the conservation purposes of the Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation. In the absence of an appropriate mitigation strategy to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority, the proposal would be contrary to the Habitat Regulations and paragraphs 186 and 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2023 and Policy EE3 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2015-2035). |
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