PiP for an Infill Dwelling Allowed at Planning Appeal in Basildon

In 2022, I secured a successful appeal win against Basildon Council for a Permission in Principle (PiP) for a single infill dwelling in Little Burstead, within the Metropolitan Green Belt.

Basildon Council had refused the PiP application on the basis that the proposal constituted inappropriate development in the Green Belt and would harm the character and appearance of the area.

The appeal raised important questions about whether the plotlands in Little Burstead formed part of a village for the purposes of the NPPF, and whether a single dwelling in this location constitutes limited infilling.

The Planning Issue

I presented a clear case that the plotlands area forms part of Little Burstead, which should be treated as a village under the Framework. I drew upon planning precedent, as well as contextual and cartographic evidence supporting the functional relationship between the two areas.

I then argued that a single dwelling on a plot between two existing properties is capable of constituting limited infilling, regardless of the sporadic, spacious pattern of development characteristic of the plotlands.

The precise design and layout would, of course, be subject to the subsequent Technical Details Consent stage.

The Inspector agreed on both points and allowed the appeal, finding no requirement to address very special circumstances.

Character and appearance considerations were also resolved in favour of the proposal, with the Inspector satisfied that development at this location could retain the spacious, low-density character of the area.

Planning Appeal Advice

If you have a development project and you have received a planning refusal, contact me for practical advice on whether an appeal is the right option and how to proceed.

Andrew Ransome MRTPI Email: andrew@adpltd.co.uk | Tel: 01206 242070

About me

Andrew Ransome is the planning director at ADP and is a chartered member of the RTPI, with over 22 years of town planning experience.

Andrew has extensive experience offering strategic planning solutions to challenging projects in both rural and urban settings. Follow him on Linkedin.

Planning Appeal Successes

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