Land Rear of 15 Norwich Road, Ditchingham, Norfolk, NR35 2JL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring properties, with particular reference to noise and disturbance
• the effect of the proposed development on the integrity of the SPAs/SACs
• whether the site is in a suitable location for housing development, with particular reference to Policy DM1.3 of the South Norfolk Local Plan Development Management Policies Document, adopted 2015
• whether the site is in a suitable location for housing development, with particular reference to whether future occupiers would be reliant on the private car

What decided it

The proposal would harm the integrity of protected SPAs and SACs without proper mitigation, which provides a clear reason for refusal under paragraph 11(d)(i) of the Framework, and the identified harms to character and living conditions would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the moderate benefits.

The moderate benefits of housing supply, economic and social benefits, and sustainable location were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the harm to character and appearance, unacceptable harm to living conditions of the host dwelling's occupiers, and likely significant effect on the integrity of SPAs and SACs without proper mitigation.