Appeal 3370072

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for the erection of 600mm trellis supported by 1.5m timber posts atop 900mm close board fence at [site address] in accordance with the terms of the application, Reference 25/00196/HSE, subject to the following

The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with the following drawings: Location Plan, Block Plan, [name] & HC/01 [name] drawing.

The work has been partially completed; this does not alter the way in which I assess the scheme.

The main issue is the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the locality.

The appeal property is a detached two storey home in a small cul de sac scheme which comes off the busy [address]. It is unusual in that its rear garden runs up to the main road rather than the home fronting this street. Immediately adjoining the property is a former petrol station now car sales area and locally there some commercial premises and in the main a variety of house types which, with their elevational form and frontages generally form a pleasing scene of established character.

The site lies within the Whitchurch Conservation Area. There is a duty imposed by Section 72(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 requiring decision makers to have special regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of a Conservation Area. This is reflected within Policy EM11 of the Basingstoke & Deane Local Plan 2011-2029 (LP) which takes the same approach and includes a range of elaborating criteria.

For the reasons that the appeal property has its private amenity space to the front, lies alongside commercial premises rather than having a solely residential context, and has a (modest) grass verge at the abutting highway this dwelling is not the typical dwelling found on this street. I can also appreciate why a degree of privacy and security are at the forefront the Appellant’s mind.

The wider streetscene is generally pleasing showing a verdant character or visually subtle usually low-level back edge of highway boundaries. Whilst different in form to the norm I am satisfied that the appeal scheme would not be jarring on the eye or markedly out of character. The solid fencing would be modest in height and the trellising would appear as relatively visually light weight. From my observations within the site of both the existing planting and the favourable ground levels, significant vegetation will be visible through the trellis and I have no reason to doubt that there is likely to be relatively rapid entwining of greenery through the trellis structure and perhaps over some of the base fencing.

I am satisfied that this scheme would not look out of place or be harmful to local character and appearance along this well-used road or as part of the town’s Conservation Area. In my opinion the design would be acceptable.

In the circumstances I conclude that the proposal would not run contrary to the aims of S72(1) of the Act or conflict with LP Policy EM11. There would be preservation of the Conservation Area. I also conclude that the scheme would not conflict with LP Policy EM10 or Policies GD1 or LD3 of the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Development Plan 2014 to 2029 which, taken together and amongst other matters, seek well-designed development with appropriate aesthetic attributes, a reinforcement of the character of the town, and protection of landscape qualities. I would also deem there to be no breach of the over-arching objectives of the Whitchurch Conservation Area Appraisal Management Plan or with the Heritage Supplementary Planning Document (2019) albeit this guidance cannot be expected to cover every detailed eventuality.