Land South Of Stratford Road, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, including trees and hedgerows
• whether the proposal would be in a suitable location with respect to the settlement pattern
• whether the proposal would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers, with particular respect to internal space, outlook, external amenity space, storage for refuse/recycling and access for the disabled
• the effect of the proposal on highway safety
• the effect of the proposal on biodiversity
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with particular respect to outlook and privacy

What decided it

The substantial weight of harms to character and appearance, settlement pattern, living conditions of future occupiers, highway safety and biodiversity significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits when assessed against the Framework as a whole under the tilted balance.

The tilted balance under Framework paragraph 11(d)(ii) was engaged due to the shortfall in five-year housing land supply (4.7 years), but the substantial harms to character and appearance, settlement pattern, living conditions of future occupiers, highway safety and biodiversity significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits of housing provision and economic contribution, resulting in dismissal.