SF Planning and their clients were delighted to secure planning permission for a new build dwelling on the south western edge of Cheltenham last month, especially as the site lies outside the principal urban area of the town and within the Green Belt.

The site used to form part of the garden to the clients’ dwelling but for the last 15 years or so was used as a vehicle repair business by one of the clients.  Through the application, it was demonstrated that this use together with the associated workshops had become lawful due to the passage of time.

Although national and local planning policy states that the construction of new buildings in the Green Belt is inappropriate, it was successfully argued that this proposal fell within the ‘complete redevelopment of previously developed land’ exception.

The brief to the architects included restricting the mass and volume of the proposed dwelling to the mass and volume of the existing buildings within the site to ensure no impact on the openness of the Green Belt resulted from this redevelopment proposal.  Furthermore, the scheme included the retention of all but one of the many trees on the site and utilised an existing access.

Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning officers accepted these arguments as well as our assertion that the National Planning Policy Framework’s ‘tilted balance’ was engaged because the Council cannot currently demonstrate a five year supply of housing land.

This resulted in a recommendation to permit the application at Planning Committee and, despite vociferous objections from ward councillors, the Parish Council and local residents, Members resolved to grant planning permission…by one vote!

“Huge thanks again Becky for all your hard work and determination – we’re so grateful to you.” – Private Client

For more information on this project or if you need any help or advice on any similar project, please contact Becky Brown.