Land at Underwood, Ballards Farm Road, South Croydon, CR2 7JA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the appeal scheme on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the appeal scheme on the living conditions of future occupiers
• highway safety with reference to access to the site and location of parking spaces
• the effect of the appeal scheme on the Tree Preservation Orders within the site
• the effect of the appeal scheme on the site's ecology
• local infrastructure with specific reference to the provision of sustainable transport initiatives

What decided it

The scheme's substantial height and scale would create an over-dominant and discordant feature in the townscape, conflicting with policies requiring development to respond positively to the character and distinctiveness of the surrounding low-density suburban area.

The importance of small sites to housing targets and innovative design were outweighed by significant shortcomings in character and appearance, living conditions of future occupiers, highway safety, tree protection, ecology and the absence of planning obligations, with no material considerations weighing significantly against the degree of conflict with the Development Plan.