Land at Brends Orchard, Edginswell Lane, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 7JF

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would preserve the settings of the six Grade II listed buildings adjacent to the site and, if not, whether this would be outweighed by any public benefits
• The effect upon the character and appearance of the area
• The likely effect upon highway safety and the free flow of traffic along the local highway network, having particular regard to the proposed car parking provision for proposed plots nos. 3, 4 and 5

What decided it

The failure to preserve the settings of the six Grade II listed buildings and the loss of historic fabric from the roadside wall, which weighed very heavily against permission, were not outweighed by the public benefits of housing delivery and the cycle/footpath link.

The heritage harm to the listed buildings and loss of historic fabric weighed very heavily against permission and was not outweighed by the public benefits of increased housing supply, self-build provision, support for the construction industry, increased Council Tax receipts, and the provision of a cycle/footpath link.