Site Adj. to Arrow Lea, Eardisland, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 9BU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area and whether the proposed development would preserve the setting of the Eardisland Conservation Area
• Whether the site is a suitable location for the development having regard to flood risk
• The effects of the proposal on the integrity of the River Wye Special Area of Conservation

What decided it

The likely significant adverse effect on the integrity of the River Wye Special Area of Conservation, which engaged paragraph 195 of the Framework and disapplied the presumption in favour of sustainability, combined with significant harm to character and appearance and unacceptable flood risk, meant the proposal conflicted with the development plan with no material considerations of sufficient weight to justify approval.

The benefits of self-build housing delivery and modest economic benefits during construction were outweighed by significant harm to the River Wye SAC, significant harm to character and appearance, less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area setting, and unacceptable flood risk to future residents, resulting in conflict with the development plan as a whole.