Assington Barns, The Street, Assington, SUDBURY, CO10 5LW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the appeal site provides a suitable location for the proposed development having particular regard to relevant development plan policy which concern employment uses
• Whether appropriate living conditions would be provided for the future occupiers of the proposed development with specific reference to their outlook
• The effects of the proposed development upon the character and appearance of the area
• Whether the proposed development would satisfactorily address any risks posed by site contamination and land instability
• The certainty of a self-build home being delivered and the implications of this

What decided it

The proposal accords with the development plan as a whole and there are no material considerations indicating a decision should be made otherwise, particularly given the acceptable effects on employment use, living conditions, character and appearance, and the ability to manage contamination risks through conditions.

The modest contribution to housing supply and the use of previously developed land within a settlement weighed in favour of the proposal, and this was not outweighed by any identified harms, with all main issues resolved satisfactorily.