Hampshire Constabulary, Police Station London Road, Basingstoke, RG21 4AD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal upon the character and appearance of the area, in particular, whether the siting, layout, design, scale, bulk and appearance of the development would appear as an incongruous form of development having regard to the pattern and character of the surroundings
• Whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Basingstoke Town Conservation Area and whether it would preserve the setting of the White Hart Public House, a Grade II listed building
• Whether the proposed development makes adequate provision for safe and secure cycle parking
• Whether the proposed development makes adequate provision for the storage of refuse and recycling
• Whether the proposal makes adequate provision for local infrastructure, in particular the provision of affordable housing and open space provision

What decided it

The absence of any harm to character, appearance or heritage assets combined with significant benefits from specialist retirement housing and affordable housing delivery, engaging and satisfying the tilted balance under paragraph 11(d) of the Framework.

the substantial and significant benefits of specialist retirement housing, affordable housing, sustainable development of previously developed land and economic benefits outweighed any adverse impacts, with no harm found to any main issue, so the tilted balance favoured granting permission