Land to the South of 86 Chrishall Road, Fowlmere, SG8 7RT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether there would be any conflict between the scheme and an existing planning obligation relating to part of the appeal site
• whether the location and nature of development would accord with local planning policies outlining the spatial distribution and requirements for housing growth in the plan area
• whether the site is a sustainable location
• the effects on the rural character and appearance of the area
• the effects of the proposal on Grades 2 and 3a agricultural land
• whether the scheme would be provided with a satisfactory means of drainage to avoid increased risks of surface water flooding elsewhere
• whether permission should be granted having regard to the duty set out in sections 2 and 2A of the Self Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended) (Self Build Act), having regard to demand and supply considerations
• whether or not financial contributions can be secured from a scheme for self/custom build housing

What decided it

The substantial conflict with the development plan's spatial strategy, combined with substantial harm to rural character and appearance and loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, outweighed the benefits of self-build housing delivery.

the identified harms (conflict with the spatial strategy, substantial harm to rural character and appearance, and loss of best and most versatile agricultural land) outweighed the public benefits (self-build housing delivery, biodiversity net gain, sustainability credentials and economic benefits), so the balance tipped against the proposal