Land to the north of Rectory Road, Rectory Road, North Fambridge, CM3 6NG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the appeal site is an appropriate location for the proposal having regard to the development plan and its effect on the character and appearance of the area
• whether the effects of the development are such that a legal agreement to secure the provision of matters including affordable housing, healthcare, education, public open space and mitigation for recreational disturbance to the Essex Coast Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) zone of influence sites is required

What decided it

The proposal would harm the character and appearance of the area by introducing substantial urbanisation into countryside beyond the settlement boundary, and the absence of a completed legal agreement meant the necessary contributions to affordable housing, infrastructure and habitats mitigation could not be secured.

The significant weight attached to housing delivery benefits (32 dwellings, quick build-out, moderate economic and sustainability benefits) did not outweigh the harm from unsuitable location, character and appearance harm, and the absence of necessary financial contributions to mitigate impacts on European designated sites.