43 Wren Street, COVENTRY, CV2 4FT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for the occupiers of Unit 5
• the effect on the living conditions of the future occupiers of the proposed residential units, with particular regard to internal space standards
• the effect of the development on the mix and balance of housing in the area
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to the dormer window

What decided it

The acute shortfall in housing land supply (1.8 years) engaged the tilted balance, and the substantial benefits of housing provision combined with the significant weight of the fallback position as a lawful 6-bed HMO significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited harm to living conditions.

The limited harm to living conditions was significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the substantial benefits of housing provision, the support for renovation and redevelopment of existing housing stock, and the significant weight of the fallback position as a lawful 6-bed HMO, in the context of an acute shortfall in housing land supply.