NEO is pleased to have supported the successful planning appeal against the original refusal by Buckinghamshire Council to grant of outline planning permission for a residential development of 18 dwellings, at Narcot Lane, Chalfont St Giles.
The main issue was whether the proposal represented inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the NPPF, and specifically in relation to transport, whether the proposed should be considered as sustainable development and meets the criteria set out in paragraphs 110 and 115. NEO provided technical submissions demonstrating a strong case for the sustainability of the site and demonstrating that the future residents of the site could access a range of destinations using public transport from bus stop which would be directly accessible from the development site.
The Inspector agreed with this position and concluded that, “…due to the availability and relatively ease of access to public transport, together with the provision of facilities within the village including schools, shops and a surgery, which could also be reached on foot or by bicycle from the proposed dwellings, occupiers of the development would not be wholly reliant on the private car to access day-to day services and amenities.”
He further concluded that “Thus, given the range of sustainable transport options by which residents could meet their day-to-day needs, the proposed development would offer a genuine choice of transport modes and would therefore be in a sustainable location, with particular reference to paragraphs 110 and 115 of the Framework. It would satisfy the requirements of paragraph 155 c.”
