106 Three Bridges Road, Three Bridges, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1JL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal upon designated habitats sites
• whether or not the proposal would make adequate provision for off-site infrastructure, with particular reference to affordable housing and tree planting
• whether or not the proposal would result in a satisfactory form of development, with particular reference to protected trees
• the effect of the proposal upon the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the proposal upon the living conditions of the occupiers of No 1 Rowan Close, with particular reference to outlook

What decided it

The failure to demonstrate water neutrality and the consequent inability to ascertain that the proposal would not result in likely significant effects on designated habitats sites, which under Regulation 63(5) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 precludes the project from proceeding.

The limited benefits of the scheme, including housing provision, economic benefits, and potential landscaping improvements, were significantly outweighed by the substantial harm from likely significant effects on designated habitats sites, the significant harm from failure to secure affordable housing, the moderate harm from pressure for future harmful works to a protected tree, and the limited harm to character and appearance.