Oldfield Cottage, Fryern Road, Storrington, RH20 4BJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the appeal site would be a suitable location for new housing, with particular regard to the settlement strategy for the area
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the proposed development on habitats sites, with particular regard to water abstraction levels for the Arun Valley Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and Ramsar sites

What decided it

The failure to demonstrate with sufficient certainty that the proposed development would not contribute to adverse effects on the Arun Valley Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and Ramsar sites through water abstraction, combined with the site's unsuitability under the settlement strategy.

The moderate benefits of housing delivery, economic benefits and sustainable construction were outweighed by the significant harm arising from the site's unsuitability for housing under the spatial strategy and the failure to demonstrate water neutrality for protected habitats sites; the tilted balance did not apply because habitats protection policies provided a clear reason for refusal.