Hollygrove Farm, Long Crichel, WIMBORNE, BH21 5LB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the parking arrangements for Holly Grove Farmhouse
• whether the scheme would be supported by the development plan in this location and, if not, whether material considerations indicate that a decision should be made otherwise, including having regard to the policies of the National Planning Policy Framework, the location within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the ability to access services and facilities by sustainable means, and the reuse of buildings considered to be a non-designated heritage asset

What decided it

The provision of two new build dwellings in the countryside would be clearly contrary to adopted policy and not proportionate or justified by the modest landscape benefits and the lower-end importance of the heritage asset, resulting in substantial overall harm that outweighed the moderate combined benefits of the scheme.

The substantial harm from conflict with Policy KS2 and the unsustainable location, reinforced by reliance on private vehicles, outweighed the moderate combined benefits comprising the conversion of the courtyard buildings, removal of modern barns, modest landscape enhancement to the AONB, and limited housing and economic benefits.