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Decision upheld to block homes on greenbelt land

Hannah Brown
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Google A view of the proposed site on the right side of a road and cycle path/pavement. There is a large field bordered by a hedge on one side. The road is on the left of the picture next to a housing estate on the edge of the village. Google
South Cambridgeshire District Council said the proposed development would lead to the permanent loss of agricultural land

Plans to build new homes on the edge of a village have been blocked after an inspector deemed it an "inappropriate development" on greenbelt land.

South Cambridgeshire District Council rejected an application for up to nine homes on land outside Sawston, but the developer appealed.

Waterbeach Instruments Ltd asked the Planning Inspectorate to grant planning permission for the "much needed self-build" homes.

The planning inspector sided with the council, saying the development would lead to "an encroachment into the countryside" and have "an urbanising effect".

They said: "I acknowledge that there are large areas of housing development to the north and west of the site.

"However, the appeal site is currently agricultural land free from any built form."

The inspector said there would also likely be parking areas, outbuildings, gardens and other areas which would extend the site further.

The plans also included proposals for 15 community allotments, a new permissive right of way, and a potential community orchard.

The developer said its plans offered a "unique development" which had "significant merits".

The district council said it recognised the social benefits of the proposed allotments and potential community orchard, but argued this was not enough to outweigh the fact it was an "inappropriate development".

Google A road and cycle path/pavement running into a village. There is new housing on the right of the road and some construction of houses in the distance on the left. The left side of the road is a field of what looks like crops. A digital speed sign says 26 on it (presumably MPH)Google
The council argued that special circumstances needed to allow a greenbelt development had not been shown

In appeal documents, the developer said: "The local planning authority has had more than enough time within the last four years to meet demand [for self-build plots].

"Their blatant disregard for the importance of delivering this form of housing is extremely disappointing and we very much hope that the inspector can grant the appeal to assist those desperately waiting for plots to be delivered in the district, and to comply with the government's clear agenda that the district should be significantly boosting the supply of all types of housing."

The planning inspector said it recognised that there was a "demonstrable unmet need for the type of development proposed", but the benefits of the plans did not outweigh the harm to the greenbelt.

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