10 Marine Parade, Budleigh Salterton , EX9 6NS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Budleigh Salterton Conservation Area
• The effect of the proposals on the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings with regard to privacy, outlook and daylight
• Whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for the future occupiers of the development with regard to noise and for future occupiers of the proposed ground floor apartment with regard to daylight and outlook
• Whether the proposed development makes suitable provision for the parking of vehicles including its effect on highway safety
• The effect of the proposal on the East Devon National Landscape

What decided it

The substantial harm to highway safety arising from the parking arrangement requiring vehicles to reverse onto Marine Parade with obstructed visibility, combined with the moderate less-than-substantial harm to the conservation area and moderate harm to living conditions, could not be justified by the moderate housing and economic benefits, particularly given the strong presumption against development harming conservation areas.

The moderate less-than-substantial harm to the conservation area, moderate harm to neighbouring living conditions, and substantial harm to highway safety were weighed against the moderate public benefit of four energy-efficient homes on previously developed land and modest economic benefits; the harms outweighed the benefits and the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply due to the heritage conflict.