8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU
North East Derbyshire District Council — appeal dismissed
- Outcome
- Dismissed
- Decision date
- 30 June 2025
- Authority
- North East Derbyshire District Council
- Inspector
- Graham A
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Casework type
- Planning Appeal
- Type detail
- Planning Appeals - Full
- Development type
- Householder developments
- Appellant
- Amanda Kate Coddington
- LPA reference
- 24/00302/FLH
- ONS LPA code
- E07000038
- Jurisdiction
- Transferred
- Link status
- Not Linked
- Start date
- 11 March 2025
Summary AI
The appeal for planning permission was dismissed due to a condition related to the surfacing of a driveway. The inspector found that the condition was necessary for highway safety, despite the appellant's concerns about its reasonableness and necessity.
PDF text
8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU — North East Derbyshire District Council — Appeal Decision Site visit made on 23 June 2025 by K Allen MEng (Hons) MArch PGCert ARB an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State Decision date: 30 June 2025 Appeal Ref: APP/R1038/W/25/3361406 8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU • The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) against a grant of planning permission subject to conditions. • The appeal is made by Amanda Coddington against the decision of North East Derbyshire District Council. • The application Ref 24/00302/FLH was approved on 2 September 2024 and planning permission was granted subject to conditions. • The development permitted is construct 5no centre kerbs and 2no taper kerbs to allow vehicle access to driveway. • The condition in dispute is No 5 which states that: “The access, hereby approved, shall not be used until the access driveway has been surfaced with tarmacadam, or a similar hard bound material (not loose aggregate), for a distance of at least 5 metres behind the highway boundary. Once provided, the driveway shall be so maintained in perpetuity”.
8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU — North East Derbyshire District Council — Appeal Decision • The reason given for the condition is: “To reduce the possibility of deleterious material being deposited in the highway (loose stones etc.) and in the interests of highway safety”. Decision 1. The appeal is dismissed. Main Issue 2. The main issue is whether condition 5 is reasonable and necessary in the interests of highway safety. Reasons 3. The development has been implemented. The driveway currently has a block pave edging, and a Type 3 open core graded aggregate surface. In addition, a channel drain runs along the highway boundary which drains into a soakaway. There is approximately 40cm between the loose aggregate and the highway boundary. 4. With all loose aggregates there is a possibility of the material spreading to the highway with the movement of pedestrians and vehicles over the surface. This is more likely on sloping surfaces, such as the appeal site. The introduction of such deleterious material has the potential to cause highway safety issues for all users of the highway, by potentially causing a loss of traction or by the material being spun off, leading to accidents. 5.
8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU — North East Derbyshire District Council — Appeal Decision Whilst the appellant states that loose material has not escaped onto the highway since the installation of the current arrangement four years ago, if condition 5 were to be omitted there would be no future controls as to the driveway surfacing material. As such, I cannot be certain that a loose material with a higher likelihood of spilling onto the highway would not be installed. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate
8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU — North East Derbyshire District Council — Appeal Decision Whilst the appellant states that loose material has not escaped onto the highway since the installation of the current arrangement four years ago, if condition 5 were to be omitted there would be no future controls as to the driveway surfacing material. As such, I cannot be certain that a loose material with a higher likelihood of spilling onto the highway would not be installed. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate
8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU — North East Derbyshire District Council — Appeal Decision Appeal Decision APP/R1038/W/25/3361406 6. The appellant contends that the prescribed distance of 5m behind the highway boundary is arbitrary and lacks credibility. However, this distance is the approximate length of a car and as such provides a sufficient buffer to limit the loss and spread of loose material from the driveway which a lesser distance would not be as effective at doing. 7. Consequently, I find that condition 5 is reasonable and necessary in the interests of highway safety. As such, the condition passes the six tests set out in paragraph 57, and is in accordance with paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework (Framework) insofar as it seeks to ensure highway safety Other Matters 8. The appellant references Schedule 2, Part 1, Class F of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and Government Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens. Nevertheless, the appeal relates to an application for full planning permission and must be assessed as such. 9. It is asserted that Tarmacadam or a similar hard bound material would contradict the above permitted development rights and guidance as well as increase the risk of flooding.
8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU — North East Derbyshire District Council — Appeal Decision However, there are a number of hard bound surfacing options available which would maintain the permeability of the driveway. Further, a channel drain and soakaway are installed which would deal with any surface run- off from an impermeable surface. Both of these options would meet the referenced guidance. Conclusion 10. For the reasons outlined above, the development without the condition in place would conflict with the de elopement plan as a whole and therefore, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.
8 Shireoaks Road, Dronfield, South Yorkshire, S18 2EU — North East Derbyshire District Council — K Allen INSPECTOR https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 2
Main issues and findings
Highway safety Against appellant ¶4
The introduction of loose aggregates has the potential to cause highway safety issues, such as loss of traction or material being spun off, leading to accidents.
Highway safety For appellant ¶6
The appellant argued that the prescribed distance of 5m behind the highway boundary is arbitrary and lacks credibility.
Highway safety Against appellant ¶7
However, the inspector found that condition 5 is reasonable and necessary in the interests of highway safety, as it provides a sufficient buffer to limit the loss and spread of loose material.
Policies relied on
| Reference | Weight |
|---|---|
| National Planning Policy Framework 116 |
Substantial |
Site constraints from the Casework Database
Source
Decision letter, 2 pages, issued by the Planning Inspectorate on 30 June 2025 under the Open Government Licence.