Land at Thornbridge Hall, Baslow Road, Ashford-in-the-Water, DE45 1NZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area taking into account: the special regard to the desirability of preserving the setting of nearby listed buildings and the contribution that setting makes to their significance; the special interest and significance of the Registered Park and Garden and the special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the Thornbridge Conservation Area and its significance; its effect on trees; conserving and enhancing the natural, landscape and scenic beauty of the Peak District National Park; and potential features of archaeological interest

What decided it

The Inspector found that the wide-ranging package of public benefits, in particular the heritage repair and management secured through the unilateral undertaking and Conservation Management Plan and the substantial increase in public access to the heritage assets, outweighed the less than substantial harm caused to the significance of the designated and non-designated heritage assets and the PDNP landscape.

The less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed buildings, RPG, TCA and non-designated archaeological assets, and the associated harm to the natural, landscape and scenic beauty of the PDNP, was outweighed—on a fine balance—by the very significant package of heritage, social and economic public benefits flowing from the development.