Wells Holiday Park, Haybridge Farm, Haybridge Wells, BA5 1AJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect upon the character and appearance of the area, including the setting of Wells and whether there would be any potential coalescence of Wells and Haybridge
• Whether the proposal would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers
• The likely effect upon highway safety along the A371
• Whether the proposal would include adequate mitigation in terms of resource efficiency and low carbon initiatives so as to help tackle climate change
• Whether the proposal would assist in meeting the housing needs of the local community by providing an adequate mix of house types and an element of affordable housing
• Whether adequate public open space provision exists or could be made available to meet the recreational needs of residents/occupiers

What decided it

The lack of five-year housing land supply triggered a tilted balance under which the modest housing benefits of appeal B were not significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the limited adverse impacts on character and appearance and the failure to provide affordable housing or adequate open space.

The adverse impacts of limited harm to character and appearance, conflict with countryside protection policies, and failure to help address housing need and provide affordable housing were not significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the benefits of housing delivery in the context of a shortfall in five-year housing land supply; the tilted balance favoured the proposal.