We were appointed following the refusal of the original planning application, with no involvement in the initial application. Our role was to represent the client throughout the appeal process and provide a robust planning case for a retirement living scheme.

The development proposed the demolition of an existing residential dwelling and associated outbuildings to enable the construction of:

• Up to 103 retirement homes (Use Class C3)
• An integrated community facility
• New vehicular and pedestrian access
• Extensive landscaping and associated infrastructure

This scheme sought to deliver high-quality accommodation to meet local needs. Several matters were central to the appeal:

• Design quality and how the scheme responded to local character
• Landscape impacts, including views and visual sensitivity
• Green Belt policy, and whether the site constituted grey belt

We represented the client throughout the appeal process and appeared at the Public Inquiry in October 2025.

Our evidence focused on the site’s planning status as grey belt and its valuable role in meeting identified local housing needs, as well as its contribution to affordable housing.

The Inspector concluded that the site fell within the NPPF’s definition of ‘grey belt’, recognising its limited contribution to Green Belt purposes.

The Inspector also agreed that the location was sustainably connected to local services and that the proposal would make a meaningful contribution to addressing local housing need.

As a result, the appeal was allowed, enabling the delivery of much-needed new homes.