Land at Swainson Farm, Goosnargh Lane, Preston, PR3 2JU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal conflicts with the development plan
• whether the development plan policies most important for determining these appeals are out-of-date, with reference to (a) whether the lpa can show a 5-year supply of deliverable housing sites and (b) consistency with the National Planning Policy Framework (Framework)
• the effect on the character of the village
• whether the conclusions on matters 2a and 2b or any other material consideration would justify allowing the appeals

What decided it

The substantial weight given to the visual improvement to the village approach from redeveloping the poor-quality farm buildings on Site A (a benefit not engaged on Site B) tipped the planning balance in favour of Appeal A but not Appeal B.

For Appeal A, substantial weight to visual improvement and housing delivery plus significant weight to economic benefits and moderate/limited other benefits clearly outweighed the conflict with the development plan as a whole; for Appeal B, the reduced benefits (no visual-improvement benefit) did not outweigh the fundamental conflict with the spatial strategy and the healthy housing land supply.