The Old Mission Hall, Hookstile Lane, Farnham, Surrey , GU9 8LG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on highway safety with regards to access
• The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of occupiers of neighbouring properties in respect of outlook and privacy
• Whether the proposal would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupants with regards to internal space, outlook and amenity space
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• The effect of the proposal on the Thames Basins Heaths Special Protection Area and the Wealden Heaths Phase I Special Protection Area
• Whether the proposal provides suitable affordable housing provision
• Whether the proposal provides appropriate play provision

What decided it

The Council's inability to demonstrate a five year housing land supply engaged the tilted balance, under which the substantial benefits of housing (including affordable housing) outweighed the moderate identified harms.

The moderate adverse impacts of the development (conflict with highway safety and play provision policies) did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits (substantial weight to housing and affordable housing delivery, minimal weight to economic/social benefits, neutral weight to living conditions, character and SPA effects), so the presumption in favour of sustainable development applied and tipped the balance in favour of the proposal.