Greyfriars Flat, Friars Road, Winchelsea, East Sussex, TN36 4ED

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the Winchelsea Conservation Area and the setting of listed buildings
• whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for the future occupants of Units 10 and 11 with particular regard to outlook, light and garden space
• the effect of the proposed development on protected species

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the significance of heritage assets caused by the siting, form, scale, mass and design of the proposal was not outweighed by the public benefit of housing supply, and the Framework's heritage protection policies provided a clear reason for refusal that displaced the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

the less than substantial harm to the significance of heritage assets was not outweighed by the public benefit of providing five new dwellings, and the heritage protection policies of the Framework provided a clear reason for refusal despite the Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing supply