AM2 Planning were instructed on behalf of Albright Dene to undertake a Planning Appeal against the refusal by Vale of White Horse District Council of a scheme for 5 Self Build houses on the edge of Shrivenham. The Appeal Inspector concluded that the site was beyond the settlement boundary, and hence there was a conflict with development plan policy. However, the Inspector agreed with the Appellant’s case that the under provision of Self & Custom Build Housing in the area was a sufficient material consideration to make a decision that did not follow the development plan. The Inspector was satisfied that the comparatively minor adverse impact of the proposal in terms of its conflict with development plan policy was outweighed by the considerable public benefit that the provision of Self Build dwellings would provide in this location. The Appeal was subsequently allowed in December 2022.
The decision highlights that there will be instances where a site which is not considered appropriate for standard market housing may still be considered appropriate for an alternative type of housing, subject to the local need for such housing and whether the site is in a sustainable location.