Rowley Hill Farm, Little Walden Road, Little Walden, Saffron Walden, CB10 1UZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site represents an appropriate location for housing, having particular regard to access to facilities and services and loss of agricultural land
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• whether, in the event of harm being identified, material considerations indicate that the appeal should be determined otherwise than in accordance with the development plan

What decided it

The adverse impacts of the proposal—its unsustainable location remote from facilities and services, loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, and urbanising effect on rural character—significantly and demonstrably outweigh the moderate benefit of providing four new dwellings, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply.

The significant harm from conflict with development plan policies on location, agricultural land and rural character, given significant weight, outweighed the moderate benefit of four new dwellings, such that the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits and the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.