Land North of Plumbley Meadows, Winterborne Kingston, Dorset, DT11 9BY

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site is a suitable location for the proposed development in relation to the character and appearance of the area, including trees
• whether the site is a suitable location for the proposed development in relation to the ability of future occupants to access facilities and services by means other than private vehicles
• the acceptability of the development in relation to flood risk
• the acceptability of the development in relation to archaeology
• the acceptability of the development in relation to biodiversity

What decided it

The development would place occupants at unacceptable risk from flooding, as the access road and northern dwellings would require passage through Flood Zone 3b and would be vulnerable to being cut off during flood events, rendering the scheme ineligible for the Exception Test and unacceptable in principle.

The provision of 20 additional dwellings (40% affordable) would make a numerically positive contribution to housing supply, but this could not overcome fundamental concerns in relation to flood risk and would not outweigh the harm to character and appearance; the tilted balance was not applicable given the clear flood risk reason for refusal.