Appeal Allowed for Childswickham Housing Scheme, With Partial Costs Awarded
SF Planning is pleased to confirm that the Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal for eight new single‑storey homes at Farmers Lane, Childswickham. The decision grants full planning permission for the proposed development following Wychavon District Council’s refusal in September 2025.
In addition, the Inspector has issued a partial award of costs in favour of our client, concluding that the Council acted unreasonably in defending one of its reasons for refusal relating to flood risk.
Inspector Finds the Scheme Acceptable in Planning Terms
The Inspector determined that the development represents a suitable form of housing in this location, despite lying outside the defined settlement boundary. While acknowledging some landscape effects, the Inspector concluded that these would be limited and well‑mitigated through design, low building height and new planting.
The Inspector also gave significant weight to the area’s acute housing need, noting that Wychavon can currently demonstrate only a 1.1‑year housing land supply, well below the five‑year requirement. This meant that national planning policy’s tilted balance applied in favour of the proposal, with substantial weight afforded to delivering new homes.
The proposal will deliver:
- Eight single‑storey dwellings
- A mix of market and affordable housing, including one Discount Market Sale bungalow
- Landscaping, biodiversity net gain measures, and on‑site public open space
The Inspector concluded that, overall, the benefits of the scheme outweighed the identified harms, justifying approval.
Flood Risk Evidence Found Robust
The Council had refused the application partly on the basis of flood risk and the alleged need for a sequential test. However, the Inspector accepted the detailed Flood Risk Assessment and additional appeal-stage hydraulic modelling, which showed the site and its access are located wholly within Flood Zone 1 and safe from fluvial and surface water flooding.
The Inspector concluded that the appeal evidence directly contradicted the Council’s position, which had relied on anecdotal historic flood information not made available to the appellant or shown to relate to the site.
In addition, the Inspector agreed with our reasoning that the development was in keeping with existing development in the vicinity. They stated “The design and layout of the proposed scheme would reflect the nucleated pattern of development in this area of the village”.
Partial Award of Costs Against the Council
The Inspector also issued a separate costs decision, which found that Wychavon District Council had acted unreasonably in defending its flood‑related reason for refusal.
The partial award of costs relates specifically to the defence of Reason for Refusal 2 (flood risk). The Inspector determined that the Council’s actions caused the appellant to incur unnecessary and wasted expense in responding to this issue.
A Positive Outcome for Responsible Rural Growth
The appeal decision confirms that carefully designed, small‑scale rural housing schemes can play an important role in supporting the vitality of rural communities, helping to address housing shortages while respecting local character.
SF Planning is pleased to have secured this important result for our clients and we look forward to seeing the development take shape.
For more information about this project for a self-build home in upton St Leonards, please contact Paul Jenkins.
The Inspectors decision notice is also available to view here:
Appeal Ref 6002233 Farmers Lane Childswickham
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