Overview

The proposal sought to deliver a new later living scheme at a previously developed site in the Green Belt at Wilton Park, near Beaconsfield. The application was refused at a local level on grounds of ‘inappropriate development’ in the Green Belt, design and landscape matters, as well as concerns as to whether there was a need for the proposed accommodation.

Project scope
95 assisted living units
75-bed care home
2.2-hectare site
Previously developed site
Green Belt location
Appeal allowed
Our role

We were instructed as the planning witness at the Public Inquiry, providing planning evidence with regards to the implications of the Government’s 2024 National Planning Policy Framework (which at that time had only just been published) - specifically in relation to Grey Belt policy and the ‘Golden Rules’.

Planning witness We were instructed to provide planning evidence at the Public Inquiry.
Green Belt case We addressed the implications of the scheme’s Green Belt location.
NPPF evidence We provided evidence on the implications of the Government’s 2024 National Planning Policy Framework.
Grey Belt policy We focused specifically on Grey Belt policy and the ‘Golden Rules’.
Need for accommodation We addressed concerns as to whether there was a need for the proposed accommodation.
Appeal strategy We successfully argued the proposals were not ‘inappropriate development’ in the Green Belt.
Outcome

We successfully argued the proposals were not ‘inappropriate development’ in the Green Belt and the appeal was allowed.