Unit 1, 1 Bridge Street, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 1AH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effects of the scheme on the integrity of designated nature conservation sites, the River Avon Special Area of Conservation (RASAC), the Avon Valley Special Protection Area (AVSPA), the New Forest Special Protection Area (NPSPA), the New Forest Area of Conservation (NFSAC)
• heritage assets, namely a non-designated heritage asset (NDHA), a former bank building known as 1 Bridge Street, Fordingbridge Conservation Area, and Grade II listed buildings, known as 15-21 High Street, 5-7 High Street, 3-5 High Street, 2 and 4 High Street, and 5 and 7 Salisbury Street, having regard to their settings
• the living conditions of the occupiers of the proposed flat 3, having regard to daylight and sunlight
• flood risk to the occupiers of the scheme's residential unit 4

What decided it

The absence of any appropriate mechanism to secure mitigation for adverse effects on the integrity of the designated nature conservation sites (RASAC, AVSPA, NFSPA and NFSAC) meant the scheme could not proceed, as this conflict with the development plan taken as a whole was determinative and not outweighed by material considerations.

The housing and social benefits of the scheme were outweighed by the harm to the significance of the non-designated heritage asset and the less than substantial harm to the designated heritage assets, which in accordance with paragraph 202 of the Framework was not justified by the benefits; however, the nature conservation objections and policy conflicts were determinative and would prevail regardless of heritage mitigation.