Land at Skye Gardens, Feltwell, Thetford, IP26 4EY

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the appeal site provides a suitable location for the development proposed having particular regard to the development plan's spatial strategy and policies on housing within rural areas
• Whether appropriate living conditions would be provided for the occupiers of neighbouring properties on Skye Gardens and for the future occupiers of the proposed development
• Whether the proposed development should make a contribution towards the provision of affordable housing and, if so, whether appropriate arrangements have been made
• The effects of the proposed development upon the integrity of Habitats Sites

What decided it

The inability to rule out adverse effects upon the integrity of Habitats Sites, which weighs very heavily against the proposal and means the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply, combined with conflicts with the development plan's spatial strategy and policies on living conditions and affordable housing.

The modest benefits of housing supply contribution and support for local services were outweighed by the significant harm from conflict with the development plan's spatial strategy, failure to provide appropriate living conditions for existing and future occupiers, failure to secure affordable housing, and the very heavy weight against the proposal arising from potential adverse effects on Habitats Sites integrity which would require imperative reasons of overriding public interest to justify permission.