Land Adjcant to the west of Admiralty House, 4 Platform Road , Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3FU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, taking into account its location within the Canute Road Conservation Area and Admiralty House
• whether the proposed development would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers, with respect to noise, daylight and outlook, and with reference to the operation of the neighbouring Port of Southampton

What decided it

The proposed development would cause less than substantial harm to the significance of designated heritage assets (Admiralty House and the Canute Road Conservation Area), which provides a clear reason for refusal that outweighs the housing land supply shortfall.

The less than substantial harm to the significance of Admiralty House and the Canute Road Conservation Area, combined with the failure to demonstrate satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers, outweighed the moderate public benefits of the proposed dwelling and its environmental features; the housing land supply shortfall did not engage the presumption in favour of sustainable development due to the clear reason for refusal based on heritage harm.