Bid to build 26 homes in Highclere fails after planning appeal dismissed by Planning Inspectorate
A bid to build 26 homes in Highclere has failed after a planning appeal was dismissed.
Development company JPP Land appealed Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s decision to turn down the homes in October 2021.
The council refused the development on the grounds that they would have a significant impact on the surrounding North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
This was an opinion that was shared by the Planning Inspectorate, which made its decision to dismiss the appeal on Monday, January 23.
A section of the appeal decision stated: “The appeal scheme would suburbanise an important green gap which makes a significant contribution to the rural setting of Highclere and in doing so would cause irreversible harm to the intrinsic rural character and appearance of the surrounding area.
“Furthermore, it would fail to conserve and enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of the North Wessex Downs AONB.”
Councillor John Izett (Con, Evingar) said: “I’m delighted and relieved that the inspector has understood the importance of defending the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Highclere.
“It is an important planning decision because it’s not always been the case that the planning system has given the status of the AONB the importance that it needs in planning terms.
“I think this is going to be an important precedent for the future, I hope.”
Mr Izett also acknowledged that the decision would have “complicated” how Highclere proceeded with its neighbourhood plan. Highclere Parish Council is currently in the process of creating the document that would set out future planning policies for the area.
Fellow borough councillor Graham Falconer (Con, Evingar) was also pleased that the appeal was dismissed.
He said: “It was just reassuring that the inspector upheld the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
“It states that there should be no developments, certainly major developments, in the AONB unless there are exceptional circumstances. Clearly, there were none.”
Mr Falconer stated that Basingstoke and Deane’s five-year land supply, which dictates that around 900 homes should be built in the borough every year, was being used by housing developers “as a carte blanche to do whatever the hell they like”.
He stated: “The five year land supply issue does not apply to the AONB. At last we’ve had an inspector uphold that statement which means that in future we get a bit more consistency.”
Like Mr Izett, Mr Falconer also hoped that this decision could have a positive impact on future planning decisions in rural areas of North Hampshire.
He added: “We’ve had so many decisions, including ones made by the council’s development control committee, which have been inconsistent. Hopefully this will give a proper guideline.”