Chapel Fields, Loxwood Road, Alfold, Cranleigh, GU6 8HW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area and on the special interest of the Alfold Conservation Area, as derived from its setting
• The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring residents, with particular regard to privacy
• Whether the proposal would increase the risk of flooding
• The effect of the proposal on protected species
• Whether the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing

What decided it

The unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the area and the special interest of the Alfold Conservation Area, combined with detrimental effects on neighbouring living conditions, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits of housing supply when assessed against the Framework as a whole, even in circumstances of a shortfall in five-year housing land supply.

The adverse impacts of harm to character and appearance, heritage setting, and neighbouring living conditions, to which very significant weight was ascribed, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the moderate benefits of housing supply and very limited weight afforded to affordable housing, assessed against the policies in the Framework taken as a whole under paragraph 11(d)