Land Between 43 and 79 The Causeway, Isleham, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5TA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal is in a suitable location with regard to local and national policies on affordable housing
• whether occupiers of the proposed development would have reasonable access to education, employment, retail and public transport services
• the effect of the proposal on biodiversity, protected species and habitats, including veteran trees
• whether the proposed development would be at risk of flooding or increase the risk of flooding elsewhere, including with regard to the sequential test
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area, with particular regard to provision of blue and green infrastructure

What decided it

The Inspector's finding that the site's constrained developable area could not be shown to accommodate the maximum quantum of 49 dwellings alongside biodiversity net gain, protected species mitigation and veteran tree protection, resulting in significant harm to ecology and to character and appearance.

Significant harm to protected species/habitats and to character and appearance was not outweighed by the significant benefit of affordable housing delivery together with moderate, limited and neutral benefits, so the balance tipped against the proposal.