Land to the rear of Barton Close, Cheriton Fitzpaine

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the appeal site is a suitable location for the proposed development, having particular regard to local housing policy
• The effect of the proposal on the character or appearance of the surrounding area, with particular regard to the setting of the adjacent Cheriton Fitzpaine Conservation Area
• The effect of the proposed development on the setting of listed buildings, specifically the Grade II* listed Poole Barton and the Grade I listed Parish Church of St Matthew
• Whether the proposal would represent an acceptable form of development having regard to its flood zone location and the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework
• Whether the proposal would make adequate provision for any additional need for infrastructure, services and facilities arising from the development

What decided it

The proposal conflicts with the development plan on multiple grounds—unsuitability of location outside the settlement boundary, significant harm to heritage assets, failure to demonstrate a Sequential Test for flood risk, and absence of planning obligations—and these harms are not outweighed by the identified benefits.

The identified harm to the conservation area and listed buildings, together with the location and flood risk concerns, was not outweighed by the public benefits of additional housing and economic activity, particularly given the absence of a planning obligation to secure affordable housing and other necessary mitigation.