Land Adjacent 22 Oaklands Avenue, Birmingham, West Midlands, B17 9TU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of its surroundings
• the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of neighbours of the appeal site, with particular reference to privacy, noise and disturbance, sunlight, and outlook
• whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupants of the appeal scheme, with regard to access to private outside space

What decided it

The considerable and enduring harm to the character and appearance of the area, the living conditions of neighbours with respect to privacy, and the inadequate provision of private outside space for future occupants significantly and demonstrably outweighed the modest benefits of housing delivery and other considerations.

The modest benefits of housing supply contribution, eco-friendly measures, and reduced anti-social use were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by considerable harm to character and appearance, neighbour privacy, and inadequate outside space for future occupants, such that the proposal does not represent sustainable development.