Land to the rear of 9 Mill Corner, Hingham, NORWICH, Norfolk, NR9 4LG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, including a protected tree
• whether the appeal site is a suitable location for housing having regard to the risk of surface water flooding
• the effect of the proposed development on the integrity of European Sites, with particular regard to nutrient neutrality
• the effect of the proposed development on the integrity of European Sites, with particular regard to recreational pressure
• whether the appeal site is a suitable location for the proposed development with particular regard to the provisions of local and national policy and accessibility to services and facilities
• whether the proposal would harm the significance of a nearby listed building and the Hingham Conservation Area, by reason of its effects on their respective settings

What decided it

The proposal conflicts with multiple development plan policies on character and appearance, flood risk, European site protection, and location outside the settlement boundary, and paragraph 11(d) of the Framework does not apply because habitat site protection policies provide a clear reason for refusal.

The tilted balance under paragraph 11(d) of the Framework does not apply because habitat site protection policies provide a clear reason for refusal; the limited housing supply benefit is outweighed by harm to character and appearance, flood risk, and European site integrity.