Land adjacent to the George and Dragon, Baughurst Road, Wolverton Townsend , Hampshire, RG26 5ST

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the site is suitable for the development and sustainably located having regard to the settlement policies of the development plan
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area having particular regard to the effect on the North Wessex Downs National Landscape
• The effect of the proposed development on the special interest of heritage assets with particular regard to the setting of the Grade II Listed George and Dragon Public House
• The effect of the proposed development on existing trees
• The effect on the living conditions of the prospective occupants of the proposed development with particular regard to the shading of rear gardens
• The effect of the proposed development on protected species
• The effect of the proposed development on flood risk and drainage
• Whether the proposed development would provide a suitable mix of dwellings

What decided it

The cumulative weight of harm to the character and appearance of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape and less than substantial harm to the setting of the Grade II Listed George and Dragon Public House significantly and demonstrably outweighs the modest benefits of three additional dwellings.

The modest social and economic benefits of three additional dwellings and biodiversity net gain were outweighed by the significant harm to the character and appearance of the area and National Landscape and less than substantial harm to the designated heritage asset, with the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighing the benefits when assessed against the Framework policies as a whole.