Land North of Willow Grove , Maldon Road, Mundon, Essex, CM9 6NT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether or not the proposal would provide satisfactory living conditions for its future occupiers
• the effect of the proposal upon the character and appearance of the area
• whether or not the proposal would be a suitable location having regard to policies for the location of development and the accessibility of services and facilities
• the effect of the proposal upon designated habitats sites

What decided it

The proposal would not provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers due to unmitigated noise, odour and lighting impacts from the adjacent industrial premises, particularly affecting private external spaces, which is a matter of fundamental importance attracting very significant weight against the scheme.

Under the tilted balance (five-year housing land supply at 2.55-2.9 years), the moderate social benefit of two dwellings and limited economic benefits were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the very significant harm to living conditions of future occupiers and moderate harm to character and appearance, with limited weight attributed to the conflict with Policy S8 on location.