Greenleys Slough Road, Allens Green, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 0LR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the principle of the proposed development with specific regard to its location, the loss of an agricultural use, and access to services
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including its effect on the significance of designated heritage assets
• whether the proposed dwelling would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupiers with specific regard to outlook, light and noise
• whether the proposal makes appropriate provision for sustainable building methods and biodiversity net gain

What decided it

The proposal conflicts with the development plan taken as a whole, particularly on sustainability grounds and loss of agricultural use, and with a five-year housing land supply demonstrated, there are no material considerations of sufficient weight to justify approval.

The substantial weight given to the reuse of brownfield land for employment purposes did not outweigh the harms arising from the unsustainable location of the dwelling, loss of agricultural use, adverse character and appearance impacts, and poor living conditions for future occupiers.