Abbey House, Bakers Row, Stratford, London, E15 3NB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposed developments on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the proposed developments on the historic environment
• The effect of the proposed developments on the living conditions of surrounding occupiers, with particular reference to outlook, daylight and sunlight
• Whether the proposed developments would provide an appropriate energy and living conditions strategy, with particular reference to renewable energy, the potential for overheating of internal spaces, and sunlight for future occupiers
• The effect of the proposed developments on the local housing supply, with particular reference to the provision of affordable housing and family accommodation

What decided it

The determining factor was the differing scale of harm to character/appearance and neighbouring living conditions between the two schemes when weighed under the tilted balance against housing and other benefits: Appeal A's lesser harm did not outweigh the benefits, whereas Appeal B's greater harm did.

Under the tilted balance, the benefits of housing delivery, affordable housing prospects, economic and highway improvements outweighed the identified harms for Appeal A, but for Appeal B the harm to character and appearance combined with greater harm to living conditions significantly and demonstrably outweighed those same benefits.