Helena Romanes School, Parsonage Downs, Dunmow, CM6 2AU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the appeal proposal would make adequate provision for: (a) any additional need for infrastructure, services and facilities arising from the development; and (b) affordable housing
• The effect of the proposal on the setting of proximate Grade II listed buildings including: (1) Newton Hall, the cottage east of Newton Hall and curtilage listed buildings within the Newton Hall complex; and (2) listed buildings to the east of the appeal site on Parsonage Downs; and whether the proposed development would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Great Dunmow Conservation Area

What decided it

The substantial public benefit of enabling and funding a new secondary school, combined with the significant contribution to housing supply, was found to clearly outweigh the limited heritage harm and the harm from the lack of affordable housing.

The substantial benefit of funding a replacement secondary school and the very significant benefit of housing delivery (amid a housing land supply shortfall) clearly outweighed the less-than-substantial (lower end) heritage harm and the harm from the absence of affordable housing, tipping the tilted balance in favour of granting permission.