Former Garage Court & Allotments, , Off Lime Avenue, , Huthwaite, , Notts, NG17 2NR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether safe access can be provided to the development
• the effect of the proposal on protected and priority species
• whether, if necessary, the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing
• whether if necessary, satisfactory provision is made to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on local infrastructure

What decided it

The absence of comprehensive bat surveys and an agreed mitigation strategy meant the scheme would cause significant harm to a protected species, conflicting with Framework paragraph 186, which requires refusal where significant biodiversity harm cannot be avoided, adequately mitigated or compensated.

The housing benefits and economic benefits of the proposal, weighed against the substantial shortfall in housing supply, were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the identified harms to protected species (bats), the failure to secure affordable housing, and the failure to secure necessary public transport infrastructure improvements.