National Planning Policy Framework - Reasons for Refusal

In order to refuse the planning application the District Council must have a least one valid, bona fide planning reason.  This application presents Councillors with not jus one reason but many:

The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. The policies in paragraphs 18 to 219 NPPF, taken as a whole, constitute the Government’s view of what sustainable development in England means in practice for the planning system. 

Policy 6 of the NPPF is also relevant. It states that: 

The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. The policies in paragraphs 18 to 219, taken as a whole, constitute the Government’s view of what sustainable development in England means in practice for the planning system.

The significance of this is that the proposal is therefore unsustainable because the proposal is contrary to the following NPPF policies 

32 (2) the requirement for safe and suitable access to the site for all people 

32 (3) severe congestion 

61 integrating new development into the environment 

75 protecting and enhancing Public Rights of Ways 

109 (4) preventing existing development being put at risk by unacceptable levels of air pollution

124. New development is consistent with the local air quality action plan. 

Furthermore the proposal is contrary to the following key principles in paragraph 17: 

(5) taking account of character of different areas and recognising the intrinsic beauty and character of the countryside 

(7) conserving and enhancing the natural environment, 

Aside from these elements the proposal is contrary to the emerging District and Neighbourhood Plans both of which are at an advanced enough stage to be given considerable weight.

Finally consideration should be given to key policy 14 and the logical conclusion that the proposal should be refused because it is unsustainable and because adverse impacts of the proposal significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the framework taken as a whole.