Appeal 3354260

The appeal is dismissed.

The description of development is taken from the decision notice. The description of development provided on the application form sets out information in support of the proposal.

The development the subject of this appeal has already taken place.

The main issue in this case is the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area.

The appeal property is a two-storey detached dwelling. It is situated in a prominent location at the entrance to Green Field Way from [address].

The appeal property is located in a residential area characterised by the presence of two-storey detached, semi-detached and terraced brick-built dwellings, set within a modern residential estate.

Dwellings tend to be set back from the road behind small gardens and/or parking areas. Notably, dwellings facing [address] are set back behind a grass verge, pavement, planting area, driveway and small gardens. This complements the presence of green paddocks, trees and hedgerows on the opposite side of [address] and provides for a notably green, open and spacious environment.

The appeal property is situated at the entrance to Green Field Way such that it fronts Green Field Way and has a side elevation facing [address]. It has a garden area to the front and rear, as well as to the side, alongside [address].

The development comprises a tall close-boarded fence which serves to enclose the garden to the side of the appeal dwelling, alongside [address]. This results in the introduction of a solid physical barrier which appears as an incongruous form of development, in stark contrast to the notably green, open and spacious qualities of the area.

The tall, close-boarded fence serves to sever the visual link between the entrance to Green Field Way and the green, open and spacious qualities of [address], beyond the appeal property. I find this to be to the severe detriment of the area’s attributes.

Further, the harm arising from the above is exacerbated as a result of the prominent location of the appeal property at the entrance to Green Field Way, whereby the development draws the eye as an unduly dominant and visually intrusive feature.

Taking all of the above into account, I find that the development harms the character and appearance of the area, contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework; to Policies SD2 and SE1 of the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (2017); and to Policy GEN1 of the Cheshire East Site Allocations and Development Policies Document (2022), which together amongst other things, seek to protect local character.

In support of the proposal, the appellant considers that the fence maintains security and privacy and prevents the depositing of litter and waste. [name] note this, there is no substantive evidence before me to demonstrate that the development comprises the only way to address these matters.

Notwithstanding this and in any case, I have found that the development results in significant harm. Taking all of the above into account, I consider that this harm is not outweighed by the benefits of the development to the occupiers of the appeal property.

For the reasons given above, the appeal does not succeed.