Walnut Tree Cottage Brick End, Broxted, Dunmow, CM6 2BJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether or not the proposal would provide a suitable location for housing having regard to relevant development plan policies and the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the countryside
• The effect of the proposal on heritage assets
• Whether or not the proposal would make adequate provision for biodiversity net gain

What decided it

The failure to demonstrate that the development would not cause harm to heritage assets and the character and appearance of the countryside, combined with inadequate provision for biodiversity net gain in breach of statutory requirements, outweighed the public benefits of housing delivery in a location with a shortfall in housing supply.

The less than substantial harm to the significance of Oakmeads, although at a low level and attracting considerable weight, was not outweighed by the cumulative public benefits comprising housing supply contribution (significant weight), economic benefits (moderate weight), sustainable design measures (limited weight), and potential care support (limited weight due to lack of substantive evidence and mechanism to ensure delivery), particularly given the permanent nature of the development and the absence of adequate biodiversity net gain provision.