- Decision
- dismissed, 1 September 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: Chris Couper
- Authority
- Bedford (East of England)
- Appeal reference
- 6011645
- Application reference
- 26/00199/S73A
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Retrospective temporary (18-month) siting of a static caravan for non-residential purposes in a field
- Site context
- open countryside
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- DP3
- Development plan policies
- Bedford Local Plan 2030 28S, 29, 30, Riseley Neighbourhood Plan 2022-2030 RC1, D1
- Main issues
- character and appearance
Summary
A retrospective static caravan in a Riseley field was dismissed for significant harm to rural character (DL ¶14).
What made the difference
The caravan's utilitarian form in an open field (DL ¶6). The inspector cites the Framework by "Section" (14 design, 4 countryside) rather than by policy code (DL ¶12).
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP3 | fail | significant | utilitarian caravan in an open field causes significant harm to rural character; the Framework's "Section 14" design and "Section 4" countryside character cited (DL 6-14) |
Key facts
- Not re-consulted: relevant policies "not significantly different" (DL 3)
- Temporary 18-month period did not overcome harm
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.