Bounds Farm, Land to the Rear of 142-146, The Street, Boughton Under Blean, ME13 9AP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development would affect the integrity of the SPA as a protected European site of nature conservation importance
• The effect of the proposal on employment provision and community facilities within the area
• The effect on the character and appearance of the area, and whether it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Boughton Street Conservation Area and whether it would preserve the settings of the grade II listed buildings at Numbers 128 and 130, 132 and 134, and 142 The Street
• Whether the proposed dwelling would be in an appropriate location for new housing with particular regard to the Council's settlement strategy and the accessibility of services and facilities
• Whether parking provision would be adequate

What decided it

The proposal would have a significant adverse effect on the integrity of The Swale Special Protection Area as a protected European site, with no mechanism to secure the required mitigation contribution, providing a clear reason for refusal under the Framework and conflicting with Policy CP7.

The modest but valuable contribution to housing supply and the benefits of the proposal (economic, social and environmental benefits, appropriate location, no harm to character and appearance or heritage assets) attracted moderate weight in favour, but were insufficient to outweigh the substantial weight given to the conflict with Policies CP7, DM3 and ST1 and the development plan as a whole, particularly the significant adverse effect on the SPA's integrity.