Little Croft, Bisham Road, Bisham, SL7 1RL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the appeal scheme would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, including the effect the proposals would have on openness
• The effect the proposals would have on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether or not the loss of a non designated heritage asset would impact on the character or appearance of the Bisham Conservation Area
• The effect of the proposals on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers
• Whether or not the appeal scheme would increase flood risk
• The effects of the proposals on biodiversity with particular regard to the protection of bats
• Whether very special circumstances exist to warrant an exception to policies which require the protection of the Green Belt

What decided it

The appeal scheme's conflicts with adopted policies on design, character and appearance, conservation area protection, and living conditions of neighbours, combined with its material increase in size over the existing building, could not be outweighed by the public benefits cited or the fallback position.

The public benefits of flood compensation and carbon reduction were insufficient to outweigh the harms to the Bisham Conservation Area, character and appearance of the surrounding area, and living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, resulting in dismissal of the appeal.