The orchard , Horsham road, Capel, Surrey, RH5 5JH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site would be a suitable location for the proposal having regard to relevant development plan policies
• its effect on the character or appearance of the area
• its effect on the internal living conditions of future occupiers with regard to privacy
• whether there would be a suitable means of vehicular access

What decided it

The individually important and cumulatively compelling adverse social and environmental impacts—unsuitable location in countryside, unacceptable harm to character and appearance, unsatisfactory living conditions for occupants, and lack of suitable vehicular access—significantly and demonstrably outweighed the modest housing benefits, such that the tilted balance did not apply.

The modest social, economic and environmental benefits of three energy-efficient market bungalows contributing to housing supply were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the cumulatively compelling adverse impacts of unsuitable countryside location, unacceptable harm to character and appearance, unsatisfactory living conditions, and lack of suitable vehicular access, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.