Bearwood General Store, 70 Magna Road, Bournemouth, BH11 9NA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the appeal site is an appropriate location for the proposed development having regard to local and national policies on the location of commercial uses
• the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of occupiers of neighbouring properties in respect of noise disturbance, pollution, outlook, light and privacy
• whether the proposal would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupants in respect of noise disturbance and pollution
• the effect of the proposed development on highway safety
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including trees

What decided it

The cumulative harm to living conditions, highway safety, character and appearance, combined with failure of the sequential test for the commercial use, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the modest benefits of housing supply and economic growth even under the tilted balance.

The benefits of boosting housing supply on previously developed land and economic growth were outweighed by substantial conflicts with Framework policies on retail location, design quality and highway safety, and significant harm to neighbouring amenity and character.