Appeal win Winchester householder extensionWinchester City Council: Pure Town Planning were pleased to succeed in a tricky appeal in the South Downs National Park and gain planning consent for our clients to extend their semi-detached dwelling at Bramdean, Hampshire.

Adopted local plan policy CE.23 in the Winchester City Council area (applicable both within and without the South Downs National Park) restricts extensions to or replacement of small dwellings in the countryside (i.e. outside of a town or village boundary) to no more than a 25% increase in the floor area. Small dwellings include 1 or 2 bedroom properties or anything under 120 sqm floor area. The appeal property fell within this category however the proposal, designed by local architects C3 Design, was to extend by somewhat over the 25% limit.

On appeal Pure Town Planning successfully argued that the policy was out-of-date and inconsistent with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). As such the Inspector gave the policy and its supporting text little weight. Instead the Inspector applied the “presumption in favour of sustainable development” as set out at paragraph 14 of the NPPF and found that:

“the proposed extension would not have any adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits that would result from the proposal, particularly the social benefits for the appellants.”

The Inspector therefore granted consent. Naturally our clients were delighted with an outcome which will really change their lives!

This appeal decision has wider implications for anyone looking to expand similar small countryside dwellings throughout Winchester district- effectively confirming to the Council that the 25% limit should no longer be applied. If you are looking to extend a small dwelling within the Winchester countryside or are coming up against a similar policy elsewhere (looking at you East Hampshire) then get in touch with Pure Town Planning to find out if we can assist.