Spruce Town Planning Ltd are delighted to have assisted our clients secure outline planning permission for the construction of 23 affordable homes on a site at the edge of Shaftesbury in Dorset.
The site was located outside of the settlement boundary for the town and subject to various constraints including protected trees and the nearby presence of heritage assets. Spruce Town Planning worked with the client, architect and specialist consultants to devise a scheme that was appropriate to its setting and made best use of the site.
The Local Authority did not determine the application and the Applicants were compelled to submit a ‘non determination appeal’. Spruce Town Planning set out a case that the need for the development was substantial given the shortfall of housing in the district and in particular affordable housing.
In the subsequent appeal decision the Inspector concluded that whilst the scheme would have a degree of impact upon the landscape, that impact was outweighed by the benefits of the scheme and the provision of much needed affordable housing. The appeal was allowed.
