Land adjacent to Weavers Park, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex, CM7 9AA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the local area, particularly in regard to the special attention that should be paid to the desirability of preserving the setting of the nearby Grade II listed building, John Ray House, the extent to which it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Braintree Town Centre Conservation Area and the effect on the setting of a non-designated heritage asset, Tabor House
• Whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupants
• The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of neighbouring residents
• Whether the proposal would provide adequate car parking
• The effect of the proposal on open space provision

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed building and conservation area was not outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme, and this heritage harm combined with harm to living conditions, parking and open space led to dismissal.

The public benefits of the scheme (reuse of an unused car park, market and affordable housing, biodiversity net gain and economic benefits) did not outweigh the less than substantial harm to the designated heritage assets, nor the harm to living conditions, parking provision and open space, so the appeal was dismissed.