A Government Inspector has overturned Waverley Planners’ decision to allow development at Withybush Farm, Knowle Lane, Cranleigh.
WA/2023/01639 (3345912) – Erection of 2 dwellings and carports with additional parking per dwelling and associated works
The development of two substantial homes has been allowed following demolishing existing commercial buildings ( WA/2022/02624) despite being refused by Waverley Planners and opposed by Cranleigh Parish Council.
Main Issues considered by the Inspector:
Whether the proposal would be a suitable location for housing, regarding the Council’s spatial strategy and the provisions of its Planning Framework.
Inspector’s Conclusion:
I conclude that the development would conflict with SP1 and ST1 of the WLP1, DM9 and DM15 of the WLP2, and the relevant provisions of the Framework and would therefore conflict with the development plan when taken as a whole.
However, there are important material considerations, in particular, applying footnote 8 of the Framework, which indicates that planning permission should be granted, where there are benefits of providing housing in an area where that need is not currently being met. I have also identified other social, economic and environmental benefits. These material considerations outweigh the conflict with the development plan.
2. Consequently, I conclude that the appeal should be
ALLOWED
Understand. If someone wants to develop in WBC. It will happen. Previous resistance has consequences.
I’m actually surprised that WBC has anyone left in the planning department.
Would you stay when WBC is being obliterated along with it’s merry councillors?
MM
Why are we not building affordable housing that is what the locality needs I hope these developers do not dodge the community infrastructure levy? The levy which should be used to mitigate development harm. Another victory for the unaccountable, very generously rewarded, Planning Inspector using arbitrary power to authorise unsustainable development within the locality.