Merrie Mead Farm, Church Lane, Braishfield, ROMSEY, SO51 0QH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the holiday let accords with the development plan for the area in terms of its location within an area of countryside and specifically policies COM2, LE16 and LE18 of the adopted 2016 Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan 2011-2029
• The effect of the development on the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area
• The effect of the development on the New Forest Special Protection Area

What decided it

The development's failure to accord with policies COM2, LE16 and LE18 of the development plan, particularly the harm to rural character from the enclosed outside amenity space and the likely future need for replacement storage facilities, was not outweighed by the modest housing supply contribution and economic benefits in the context of the tilted balance.

The conflict with development plan policies was afforded very significant weight and was not outweighed by the identified benefits of economic contribution, effective use of land, and modest contribution to housing supply (one dwelling), particularly given that the holiday let use would not increase permanent housing provision