®Planning appeal decision
Land off Exeter Road, Rockwell Green, Somerset, TA21 9PY
the erection of up to 315 dwellings with convenience store (class E) public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and vehicular access point
- Authority
- Somerset Council
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Inquiry
- Development
- residential · Major dwellings
- Inspector
- Major P
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would create unacceptable flood risk on the site or elsewhere
- The effect of the proposed development on local highway conditions
- The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the locality
- Whether the proposal is capable of meeting nutrient neutrality objectives in order to avoid significant effects on the integrity of protected sites
- In light of the findings on the above issues and any other considerations, whether the planning balance justifies granting planning permission
What decided it
The tilted balance under NPPF paragraph 11(d), engaged because the Council could not demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply, meant the limited landscape harm did not clearly and demonstrably outweigh the scheme's benefits.
The limited to moderate harm to landscape character, being the only material harm identified, did not clearly and demonstrably outweigh the significant and substantial benefits of market and affordable housing, retail provision and biodiversity net gain, so the tilted balance favoured granting permission.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: SP1, CP4, DM 2, CP8, SB1, CP6, TC3
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.