Land off Foundry Drive, Tingewick Road, Buckingham, MK18 1WW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the suitability of the site, as a location for a residential development, with particular reference to the requirements of the development plan
• the effect of the development upon flood risk
• the effect of the development upon biodiversity
• whether the development would be energy efficient
• whether appropriate living conditions would be provided for the future occupiers of the development, with regards to access
• whether the proposal is of an acceptable design
• whether the effects of the development are such that a legal agreement to provide appropriate infrastructure is required

What decided it

The cumulative effect of the loss of an employment site without sufficient justification, unresolved flood risk concerns, failure to demonstrate biodiversity net gain, and inadequate energy efficiency measures, when weighed against moderate housing benefits and limited economic benefits under the tilted balance, resulted in the adverse effects significantly and demonstrably outweighing the benefits.

The moderate housing benefits and limited economic benefits were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the substantial harms arising from the loss of a business site, lack of biodiversity improvements, flood risk, and energy efficiency deficiencies, such that the appeal should be determined in accordance with the development plan.