Private car parking area at southern end of Stafferton Way, Maidenhead, SL6 1AY

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site is a satisfactory location for the scheme having regard to flood risk
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• whether the proposal would make satisfactory provision for affordable housing
• whether the proposal would incorporate satisfactory measures to adapt to and mitigate climate change
• the effect of the proposal on ecology, including whether it would secure biodiversity net gain
• the effect of the proposal on highway safety, with particular regard to whether it would have a satisfactory vehicular access
• whether the proposal would provide a satisfactory standard of accommodation, with particular regard to light receipt, outlook and the quantity of internal and external space

What decided it

The proposal fails to demonstrate that the site is not at higher flood risk than reasonably available alternatives, thereby breaching the sequential test which is a strong reason for refusal under the Framework.

The substantial benefits of housing delivery and use of previously developed land in an accessible location were outweighed by the strong policy reason for refusal on flood risk grounds and, even if that were overcome, by the substantial harm to character and appearance, failure to incorporate satisfactory climate change measures, and ecological implications.