The former WW2 bunker situated on the west coast of Cornwall was used as part of the radar listening stations network that supported the UK’s early warning system during the Second World War, as well as housing equipment and armed forces personnel.
A Heritage Asset is defined within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, 2012) as “A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest.
Despite its Historical Importance the WW2 bunker subject of this appeal, was in fact a non-designated Heritage asset. However it WW2 bunker is situated in an area of great landscape value (AGLV).
The main issue the Planning Inspector had to address was the effect of the development had on the character and appearance of an AGLV and Heritage Coast.
The Local Planning Authority (LPA) argued that the bunker had deteriorated so significantly that it had blended into the surrounding land and, therefore, did not comply with the NPPF definition of “previously developed land”. The appellant argued that the structure remained distinct from its coastal surroundings despite its dilapidation over the years.
In his conclusion, the Inspector found that the proposed development, ‘would not harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area, and that therefore the quality of the character and distinctive landscape is maintained. As such, whilst the natural beauty of the local landscape is not enhanced in the overall context of this policy, the area around the appeal site is preserved and sustained and therefore the proposed development would accord with the overall aims and objectives of Policy 23 of the Local Plan, with particular reference to sites found within the Area of Great Landscape Value and Heritage Coast.’
The appeal was therefore allowed and planning permission granted for a new dwelling.
9 November 2018