Land off Trotshill Lane East, Worcester, WR4 0AT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use and the amount of development, with particular regard to the effect on the Significant Gap, the effect on the Green Space, and the effect on the character and appearance of the Trotshill Conservation Area and the setting of three listed buildings

What decided it

The proposal would cause less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area that would not be clearly outweighed by public benefits, and this harm, combined with conflicts with the Significant Gap and green space policies, provides a clear reason for refusal under paragraph 11d) of the Framework.

The benefits of housing delivery (up to 5 dwellings contributing to local housing supply, social and economic benefits during construction, council tax revenues and new homes bonus) were outweighed by the less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area and the conflicts with the Significant Gap and green space designations; the heritage protection policies of the Framework provided a clear reason for refusal displacing the presumption in favour of sustainable development.