Appeal 3311246

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for a timber framed shed at [site address] in accordance with the terms of the application, [name].21/2690/HHOLD, dated 6 November 2021 and subject to the following condition.

The development hereby permitted is as shown on the following approved plans: 1:500 Block Plan ‘[name]; 1:50 on A4 ‘Elevations’ and 1:50 on A4 ‘Section AA’.

The site visit was undertaken by representative of the Inspector whose recommendation is set out below and to which the Inspector has had regard before deciding the appeal.

I have referred to the development as per the application form, omitting the additional superfluous text concerning the use and dimensions thereof. This has not affected my consideration of it nor the case of either party in regard thereto. At the time of my site visit, the development had been completed in accordance with the above plans. I have proceeded on the basis that retrospective planning permission is sought through the appeal.

The main issue is the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area with specific regard to the setting of the grade II listed host building, No [site address] .

The appeal site is the garden of an end of terrace dwelling, itself part of one large building which is grade II listed. It is an early 19th Century two storey and part three storey linear building set back from the road on a raised ground level. It is finished in coursed rubble limestone. It retains much of its original traditional rural charm. The appeal property itself appears, from the listing description, to have been the result of a later extension to provide an additional house. There are five dwellings in total that are easily identifiable through porches to the front and small contained gardens to the rear. Two of the dwellings have been altered, one through a ground floor lean to extension and another with a conservatory. The gardens are enclosed with high sided close boarded timber fencing. Due to the slope of the site as a whole, the upper floors of the building to the rear are more obvious from the street ([address]).

Despite it still being identifiable as one, the subdivision of the building to separate dwellings and subsequent domestication of individual plots has had a diluting effect on the building as a whole. The addition of extensions to sections and the high fence to [address] all present as modern garden features, affecting the historical setting of the building as a whole. Within this context, a detached garden building is not anomalous. Particularly one that is clearly not ‘off the peg’ in terms of its use of materials and design which, on its own merits, uses traditional rustic materials in the vein of the host building. The original fabric of the building and thus its historic and architectural significance are unaffected. In addition, the appeal building is almost completely hidden from view at [address], obscured by the boundary fence.

While the shed is on the larger side of what would be expected in a garden of this size, there is still plenty of room and there is no impression of an overly cramped space. The rear elevation of the building, boundary fence notwithstanding, can still be readily appreciated. The impression of space around the building is still very much apparent from the public realm. In addition, and when viewed from inside the garden, the development is sufficiently set away from the dwelling so as to appear as an independent and obvious subservient addition. In this way, the shed does not visually compete with the rear elevation.

The development does not therefore cause harm to the setting of the grade II listed building. Accordingly, it is in accordance with Policies HC8(1) and ES10 of the Stroud District Local Plan (2015) which seek to protect Stroud’s historic environment through good design.

As the appeal is retrospective and all details acceptable, I have imposed a condition setting out to which plans it relates, for enforcement purposes. No further conditions are necessary.

For the reasons given above and having had regard to all other matters raised, I recommend that the appeal should be allowed. Subject to the condition set out. R Dickson APPEALS PLANNING OFFICER

I have considered all the submitted evidence and my representative’s report and on that basis the appeal is allowed, subject to the stated condition.