52 St. Johns Lane, Bristol, BS3 5AD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of 50 St John's Lane, with particular regard to overbearing effect, loss of light and outlook and 1 and 5 Merioneth Street, with particular regard to overlooking
• Whether the development would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers, with particular regard to internal living space, external space, and disturbance
• The effect of the proposal on parking pressures within the vicinity of the appeal site
• Whether the scheme makes adequate provision for cycle, refuse and recycling storage
• Whether the scheme makes adequate provision for sustainable heating and hot water

What decided it

The collective harms to character and appearance, neighbouring living conditions, and future occupier living conditions carry considerable and decisive weight that significantly and demonstrably outweigh the moderate benefits of housing delivery on a brownfield site.

The benefits of three new housing units on a brownfield site in an accessible location (moderate weight) were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the considerable and decisive weight of harm to character and appearance, neighbouring living conditions, and future occupier living conditions, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development was not engaged.