Land North of Browns Lane, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 8UT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would accord with the spatial strategy in the development plan, with regard to its location and the proposed quantum of housing
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with regards to spatial and visual separation of Wigginton, and the Wigginton Conservation Area (WCA)
• the need for, and provision of affordable housing in Lichfield and Tamworth, including the mix and tenure
• whether the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing, education, healthcare, public open space, off-site highway works and travel plan monitoring
• the effect of the proposed access on the character and appearance of the area, having regard to the development subject of Appeal A
• whether the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing and off-site highway works

What decided it

The very substantial weight given to the exceptional, fully affordable housing provision (up to 210 affordable homes) outweighed the identified moderate spatial-strategy harm and the less-than-substantial harm to the Wigginton Conservation Area's setting.

The very substantial benefit of 100% affordable housing provision, together with significant open space, economic and other benefits, outweighed the moderate harm from conflict with the spatial strategy and the less-than-substantial (low-to-moderate) harm to the setting of the Wigginton Conservation Area, tipping the balance in favour of allowing the appeals despite overall conflict with the development plan.