Beacon Planning Ltd have assisted in obtaining permission on appeal in respect of a site in Harston following two refusals principally on design grounds following over a year of frustrating negotiations with South Cambridgeshire District Council which only resulted in refusal.

Planning permission had been granted in 2013 for a chalet bungalow on the site and Beacon were appointed to assist in obtaining permission for a more interesting design, working with Macdonald Architects. However after two refusals recourse to appeal was seen as the only option. The Local Planning Authority were concerned that the scheme would be out of character with the area - which is not a Conservation Area. The Inspector did not accept this view given the variety of size and design of dwellings in the locality and held that the design accorded with Policy DP/2 of the LDF.

It is of note that the Inspector also was not persuaded to remove permitted development rights notwithstanding the location on the boundary of development limits. The clients were delighted with the outcome and will commence work once the conditions are discharged.