Land off Butts Batch, Wrington, North Somerset, BS40 5LN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposed development on the setting of the grade I listed Church of All Saints
• Its effect on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether any harm arising would be outweighed by other considerations, including the absence of a National Planning Policy Framework compliant supply of housing land
• Regarding Appeal B, in light of the extent of common ground between the Council and the appellant, whether there are any other considerations that might indicate that this appeal should be dismissed

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the significance and setting of the grade I listed Church of All Saints was not outweighed by the benefits of the Appeal A scheme, meaning the tilted balance did not apply and the proposal conflicted with the development plan as a whole.

For Appeal A, the very weighty benefits of market and affordable housing delivery and other benefits did not outweigh the less than substantial (lowermost) heritage harm to the grade I listed church and the harm to character and appearance, so the balance tipped against the proposal and the tilted balance under para 11 was not engaged; for Appeal B, no material harms were identified so the balance favoured granting permission.