Land South of Brent Eleigh Road, Monks Eleigh, Suffolk, IP7 7 JG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposed development would provide a suitable location for housing, having regard to the Council's spatial strategy and the Framework
• the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the Monks Eleigh Conservation Area and the setting of nearby listed buildings
• the effect on protected species
• the effect on highway safety
• whether there are other considerations that indicate a decision should be made other than in accordance with the development plan, with particular reference to the proposed provision of self-build housing and any other benefits of the proposal

What decided it

The considerable weight attached to the less than substantial heritage harm to the Conservation Area, combined with conflict with the spatial strategy and unmitigated ecological harm, was not outweighed by the moderate benefits of self-build housing and other considerations.

The less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area, together with the conflict with the spatial strategy and the unmitigated risk to protected species, outweighed the moderate collective benefits of self-build housing delivery, biodiversity net gain and economic benefits, so the balance tipped against the proposal.