| Conditions or Reasons: | | 1)
The proposed development, by way of location, land use, and amount of development, would represent inappropriate development in the Green Belt, which is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt. The development would also be detrimental to the openness of the Green Belt, and represent an encroachment into the countryside. No factors which could amount to very special circumstances to clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, and other harms to the character of the landscape are evident. The proposal is therefore contrary to policy SP4 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2021), and Section 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024). |
| 2)
The proposal, by reason of location, land use and excessive amount of development would result in the creation of a harmful form of backland development which is at odds with the linear pattern and grain of development within the rural area. In addition, the development would impact on the future longevity of natural features, thereby resulting in a development that would be visually intrusive and harmful to the character of the rural setting and wider character of Aley Green. As such, the form and extent of development would not reinforce local distinctiveness, nor would it be sensitive to the key characteristics of the surrounding area, and would be in conflict with policies HQ1, HQ8, EE4, and EE5 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2021) as well as sections 12 and 15 of the NPPF (2024). |
| 3)
The proposal, if permitted, would result in an access which has inadequate driver / driver intervisibility and will lead to condition of danger to all highway users. The proposed development would therefore be in conflict with policy T2 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2021), the Highway Construction Standards & Specifications Guidance, and section 9 of the NPPF (2024). |
| 4)
The Council 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 Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation would 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 appropriate mitigation to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority, the proposal would be contrary to the Habitat Regulations, paragraphs 193 and 194 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024), and section 5B subparagraph (b) of the The Town and Country Planning (Permission in Principle) (Amendment) Order 2017, as well as policy EE3 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan (2021). |
|
|---|