Epping Forest College, Borders Lane, Loughton, IG10 3SA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The design of the schemes and their effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• The effect on the living conditions of future occupiers, with particular regard to light, and the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with particular regard to privacy, shadowing and outlook
• The provision of affordable housing
• (Site B only) Whether the proposal would encourage an over-reliance on the private car

What decided it

The Council's inability to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply engaged the tilted balance, meaning the identified minor harms (Appeal A) did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the substantial benefits of housing delivery, while Appeal B was found to accord with the development plan outright.

For Appeal A, the significant benefit of delivering 139 dwellings (plus affordable housing and economic benefits) was not significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the limited design and living-condition harms identified, applying the tilted balance; for Appeal B, the scheme was found to accord with the development plan as a whole with no significant adverse impacts identified.