A planning appeal regarding a proposed treehouse in Huddersfield has been dismissed by an inspector, following an appeal on the basis of written representations.
The site in question is on the edge of a woodland area, next to a large garden belonging to The Mansion, a £3 million grade II listed building located in the Huddersfield green belt. The appellant wanted to construct a treehouse on the site, incorporating a raised walkway and decking.
The planning inspector, Stephen Normington, considered carefully as to whether the development would be considered as "appropriate" for the green belt. Referencing the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Mr Normington explained in his decision that some outbuildings can be considered as appropriate in the green belt if they are "normal domestic adjuncts" in close proximity to a home, such as a garage built close by. However, the inspector concluded that this didn't fit the proposed development.
Considering the other issues surrounding the proposed development, Mr Normington determined that it would impact on the openness of the green belt "to a moderate degree".
Although the development would not cause an issue with the woodland setting, or that of the listed building, the inspector decided that the development was "inappropriate" development in the green belt, in accordance with the NPPF, and would affect the openness of the green belt, and therefore should not be permitted.
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