Land At Ss 603 021, Holebrook Lane, Exbourne, EX20 3SJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would meet housing need
• Whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the character or appearance and historic setting of the Exbourne Conservation Area
• The effect of the proposed access on the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers using Holebrook Lane
• The effect of the proposals on biodiversity

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the conservation area, given great weight under paragraph 212 of the Framework, was not outweighed by the moderate public benefits of a single dwelling, and the unsafe access provided independent grounds for refusal.

The less than substantial harm to the significance of the conservation area, given great weight, was not outweighed by the moderate public benefits of housing delivery and economic activity from a single dwelling; the proposal also conflicted with highway safety policy, and these conflicts meant the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply despite the lack of five-year housing land supply.