- Decision
- allowed, 1 September 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: M Brooker
- Authority
- Bassetlaw (East Midlands)
- Appeal reference
- 6007837
- Application reference
- 24/01297/COU
- Procedure
- hearing
- Development
- Change of use to one-family Gypsy/Traveller site (two caravans, dayroom, improved access)
- Site context
- open countryside, rural lane
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- December 2024 NPPF (transitional)
- Determinative policies
- TR6(4)
- Development plan policies
- Bassetlaw Local Plan ST30, ST53, Walkeringham Neighbourhood Plan Policy 1
- Main issues
- highway safety
Summary
A single-family traveller site off a narrow unlit lane was allowed after a hearing. The poor B1403 junction would be avoided in favour of a better route through the village, so the highway impact was not unacceptable. The letter, dated 1 Sep 2026, quotes the 2024 ¶116 highways test and does not mention the new Framework.
What made the difference
The availability of a much better alternative junction, and no accident record (DL ¶¶15–17). The pedestrian route was accepted as poor but not determinative for a traveller site.
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| TR6(4) | pass | quotes 2024 ¶116; poor-visibility Caves Lane/B1403 junction harmful but not unacceptable given better route through village (DL 12-17) | |
| TR3 | harm | single-track unlit lane with no footway, unattractive for walking to village 400 m away, "not determinative" (DL 7-9, 17) |
Key facts
- Council has a 5-year traveller-site supply but identified no alternative available site
- Mains electricity required by condition to avoid generator noise
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.