Club House Farm, Church Street, Hinstock, Market Drayton, TF9 2TF

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• Whether the proposed development would be appropriately located, taking into account the Council's spatial strategy for housing development with particular regard to the location of part of the site in the open countryside
• The effect of the proposed development on existing trees to the west of the appeal site
• Whether the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing
• The effect of the proposed development on protected species

What decided it

The proposal's location predominantly outside the settlement boundary in the open countryside, contrary to the development plan's spatial strategy, combined with the absence of any evidenced exceptions or local need to justify such development, and the failure to provide adequate affordable housing contributions, outweighs the limited benefits of housing delivery in an area with sufficient supply.

The benefits of housing delivery and self-build provision are limited and do not outweigh the environmental harm to character and appearance, the conflict with the development plan's locational strategy, the failure to provide adequate affordable housing, and the undermining of the plan-led approach.