Land within the Westhampnett / North East Chichester SDL, North of Madgwick Lane, Chichester, PO18 0NR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether or not the appeal site is an appropriate location for development of this type, particularly with regard to the wider masterplanning for the Westhampnett/North East Chichester Strategic Development Location (SDL), physical integration with the existing settlements of Chichester and Westhampnett, and reliance on the car by future occupiers
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, particularly with regard to the Lavant Valley landscape and visual integration with the existing settlements of Chichester and Westhampnett
• the effect of the proposed development on the special interest of the nearby listed buildings, in particular Old Place Farmhouse and Chichester cathedral, with regard to the effect on their settings
• whether or not the proposed development would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers, with particular regard to noise from the aerodrome and motor circuit
• whether or not the proposed development would create potential future risks to the operation of the aerodrome and/or motor racing circuit, including with regard to the efficient operation of the highway network in the vicinity of the appeal site with regard to events traffic related to major events at the motor racing circuit

What decided it

Under the tilted balance, the substantial benefits of housing delivery (including affordable housing) and other public benefits were not significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the moderate character/masterplanning harm and the limited heritage harm identified.

The substantial benefits of market and affordable housing, open space, biodiversity net gain and economic benefits outweighed the moderate harm to character/appearance and masterplanning conflict, and the lower end of less-than-substantial heritage harm, so that adverse impacts did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits under the tilted balance.