Home Field, Anstey Lane, Thurcaston, LE7 7JB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on designated heritage assets, with particular regard to the character and appearance of the Thurcaston Conservation Area, and the setting of the Grade II listed buildings within the Bybrook Farm complex
• the character and appearance of the area in relation to landscape and the Area of Local Separation
• the living conditions of existing surrounding occupiers, with particular regard to noise and disturbance
• biodiversity and protected species

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the significance of the designated heritage assets (the Thurcaston Conservation Area and the Grade II listed buildings at Bybrook Farm) outweighs the moderate public benefits of the proposal, particularly given the great weight that must be attributed to the conservation of these irreplaceable heritage assets.

The moderate public benefits of housing delivery and economic benefits were outweighed by the great weight given to the conservation of the designated heritage assets and the identified less than substantial harm to their significance, with the tilted balance not applying due to the heritage asset exception in Framework paragraph 11.