The Salvation Army, 13 Kennedy Road, Bedford, MK42 9NX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether having regard to the development plan and national planning policy there is sufficient justification to resist the proposed development on the grounds of an unacceptable loss of a community facility
• whether the proposal would provide adequate living conditions for future residents, with particular regard to outlook, light, noise, disturbance and privacy
• whether the proposal would provide adequate provision for bin storage, with particular regard to odour and access for collection

What decided it

The cumulative weight of three material harms—loss of a community facility without adequate justification, inadequate living conditions for future residents, and inadequate bin storage provision—substantially and demonstrably outweighed the moderate benefits of housing delivery in circumstances of housing land supply shortfall.

The significant harms from loss of community facility, inadequate living conditions for future residents regarding outlook, light, noise, disturbance and privacy, and inadequate bin storage provision substantially and demonstrably outweighed the moderate benefits of housing delivery and efficient use of land, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.