Land at Tower Hill Farm, Bath Road, Beckington, Somerset, BA11 6SH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the location of the site is suitable for the proposal, having regard to the local development strategy
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including its landscape setting and whether the setting of the adjacent Grade II listed buildings would be preserved
• whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupiers of the new dwellings, with particular regard to the provision of open space
• whether future occupiers of proposed Plots 6 and 8 would experience acceptable living conditions with specific regard to daylight, and future occupiers of proposed Plot 12 in respect to privacy

What decided it

The less than substantial harm, at a moderate magnitude, to the significance of the Grade II listed Clifford Villas group was not outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme, engaging the Framework's policy protecting designated heritage assets as a strong reason for refusal.

The public benefits of the proposal (housing delivery including affordable housing, economic and environmental benefits) did not outweigh the less than substantial harm, at moderate magnitude, to the significance of the Clifford Villas group, such that the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits and the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.