Southbrook Farm, Summerhill Lane, Hartlepool, TS25 4LL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effects of the proposed development on the integrity of nearby European sites with regard to increased recreational and dog walking activity
• The effect of the proposed development on the setting of Park Conservation Area
• The effect on living conditions of future occupiers with particular reference to outlook, in terms of the relationship with the adjacent telecommunications poles
• Whether the proposals make adequate provision for infrastructure, social and ecology requirements arising from the development, and whether the contributions meet the tests set out in Regulation 122(2) of the Community Infrastructure Regulations 2010 (as amended)

What decided it

The failure to submit a completed Section 106 agreement securing the necessary planning obligations, particularly the £2,600 ecology mitigation contribution and the £156,000 highway infrastructure contribution, meant the development could not avoid an adverse effect on European sites and failed to make adequate provision for required infrastructure contributions.

The moderate benefits of housing delivery and regeneration of a semi-derelict site did not outweigh the harm arising from the lack of contributions to required planning obligations and the inability to mitigate effects on European sites.