The Gables Ash Lane, Alvechurch, Birmingham, B48 7TT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be an unsustainable and unsafe form of development for highway users with regard to the condition of Ash Lane
• Whether the proposal would accord with local policies and national guidance with regard to location of housing
• Whether the proposal would provide an appropriate housing mix

What decided it

The Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply engaged the tilted balance under NPPF paragraph 11(d)(ii), requiring permission unless adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweigh benefits, and the modest housing delivery and acceptable infill nature of the proposal meant the balance tipped in favour of allowing the appeal.

The adverse impacts of conflict with two criteria of APNP Policy H2 (location outside village envelope and housing mix) were given limited weight because the development would be acceptable infill that does not extend the village beyond existing built-up limits and would contribute modestly to housing delivery in a settlement identified to receive limited infill, such that the benefits outweighed the harms under the tilted balance.