2A Gravel Road , Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire, GU52 6BB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the development would be at risk of flooding and whether it would increase the risk of flooding elsewhere
• the effects of the proposal on the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (TBH SPA)
• the effects of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• the effects of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers and whether adequate living conditions would be provided for future occupiers
• whether the proposal would provide sufficient parking for future occupiers
• the effects of the proposal on the biodiversity value of the site and whether it would make adequate provision for Biodiversity Net Gain

What decided it

The conflicts with flood risk policy and habitats designations, which provide strong reasons for refusal under Framework paragraph 11(d), combined with the multiple breaches of development plan policies on character, amenity and parking, outweighed the modest housing benefits.

The modest housing benefits and economic benefits from construction and occupation were insufficient to outweigh the conflict with the development plan taken as a whole, particularly given that flood risk and habitats policies provided strong reasons for refusal.