Planning Inspectorate Appeal case 6001313
STUBTON PARISH COUNCIL
RE: APPEAL REFERENCE 6001313
S25/1033 LAND WEST OF DRY DODDINGTON LANE, STUBTON
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STATEMENT OF CASE
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The following supplements the Parish Council’s original comments submitted to SKDC Planning Portal and oral submissions made at the SKDC Planning Committee Meeting on 25th September 2025, when the application was refused.
The field subject to this appeal is surrounded by dense, ancient hedgerows, save for the access gate off a right of way known as the Coach Road. It is laid to permanent pasture, with a well preserved, surviving ridge and furrow field system of Medieval origin. The field is a non designated heritage asset, recorded by Lincolnshire Heritage as Monument Record MLI99366. The proposed development therefore contravenes Stubton Neighbourhood Plan Policy NE2:
“New development must be appropriate to the character, natural historic and cultural attributes and features of Stubton’s landscape. Developments must respect and retain the landscape character of Stubton Parish and incorporate features which contribute to the conservation, enhancement or restoration of these features.
In particular, new development should, wherever possible:
Maintain existing hedgerows, trees and woodland and encourage the planting of new trees and hedgerows. Where new trees are proposed, these should wherever possible, be appropriate disease resistant and native species.
Protect and enhance the existing landscape character and the important features that define the character, setting and views of the Parish (as set out within the Stubton Landscape Character Assessment). In particular, development which would impact on views into and, where appropriate, out of the village should demonstrate that these features have been sensitively and appropriately considered and incorporated/mitigated as necessary.”
As can be seen from the photographs, the proposed site has a remote, open aspect, with nothing to tie it to the urban, domestic development within the village of Stubton. It is edge of village and has no services on site such as water or electricity and there are no garden sheds or signs of domestic use. The proposed site therefore contravenes Stubton Neighbourhood Plan Policy NE1:
“New development must preserve the remoteness and tranquillity of Stubton Parish.”
A submitted photograph shows sheep grazing the site and its historic use has been for grazing livestock and horses. As the entrance gate leads onto a public bridleway, it has been an ideal location for equestrian use as riders can access off road hacking directly from the field entrance. The field remains unchanged over the centuries and is an important historic site of agricultural heritage.
As the development would result in total loss of the ridge and furrow field system, the application contravenes Stubton Neighbourhood Plan Policy NE3:
“Development proposals where the primary objective is to conserve or enhance biodiversity and other features of the local environment or landscape should be permitted.”
NPPF para 216 provides:
“In weighing applications that directly or indirectly affect non-designated heritage assets, a balanced judgement will be required having regard to the scale of any harm or loss and the significance of the heritage asset.”
The applicant acknowledges the proposed development would result in total loss of the heritage asset, it is therefore respectfully submitted that the scale of harm and loss falls in favour of refusing the appeal.
The proposed Biodiversity Net Gain area removes more of the ridge and furrow landscape and the plan to sow yellow rattle as a grass suppressant does not assist in conservation, particularly as the plant is invasive, so likely to spread to surrounding pasture and is toxic to livestock and horses. The proposed development therefore contravenes: Stubton Neighbourhood Plan Policy BE1:
“New development for appropriate uses, which is in accordance with the other policies of this plan, will be supported where it can be demonstrated that opportunities to protect and enhance the landscape and/or built environment of Stubton and/or its setting, have been considered and incorporated.”
It is felt that a cul-de-sac style of development is out of keeping with the current built form of the village. It introduces dense development to an edge of village location and is out of keeping with the current built form of single file, scattered dwellings: Stubton Neighbourhood Plan Policy BE2:
“New development for appropriate uses should be sympathetic to the existing form, scale and character of Stubton Parish and be appropriate to its rural location, by ensuring compatibility with the character of the landscape as well as buildings. Materials and boundary treatments should be sympathetic to the character of Stubton.”
Jackie Britten-Crooks
Clerk/RFO Stubton Parish Council
Approved by Chairman prior to submission
3rd December 2025