Poppins Barn , Goldsmith Lane, All Saints, AXMINSTER, EX13 7LU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the appeal site is a suitable location for new residential development having regard to the development plan, the setting of the building and access to local services and facilities
• whether the proposed development would have a likely significant effect on the integrity of the River Axe Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with regard to phosphates

What decided it

The proposal conflicts with the development plan on two independent grounds: unsuitability of location due to poor access to services and reliance on private cars, and failure to demonstrate phosphate neutrality for the River Axe SAC, with the development plan conflicts affording significant weight that outweighs the limited benefits of a single dwelling and self-build project.

The limited benefits of providing a single dwelling and self-build housing, together with modest social and economic benefits and biodiversity enhancements, were outweighed by the significant weight afforded to the proposal's conflict with the development plan policies on location and sustainability, and the failure to demonstrate no significant adverse effect on the River Axe SAC.