Unit D, Knowle Village, Fareham, PO17 5FL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on the provision of local facilities/services
• Whether the proposal provides appropriate living conditions for future occupiers with regard to outlook and outdoor space
• The effect of the proposal on highway safety
• The effect of the proposal on the character of the area and community cohesion
• Whether the proposal would preserve the Grade II listed building known as 'Knowle Hospital, former County Pauper Asylum' and any of the features of special architectural or historic interest that it possesses

What decided it

The proposal would fail to preserve the special interest of the Grade II listed building by eroding the remaining openness and legibility of its former use as a chapel, causing moderate less-than-substantial harm that was not outweighed by the public benefits, combined with the unjustified loss of a local facility/service contrary to Policy CP6.

The moderate less-than-substantial harm to the designated heritage asset and the loss of a local facility/service were not outweighed by the limited public benefits from housing supply (given the Council's deliverable 5-year supply), reduced traffic movements compared to the fallback commercial use, and minimal noise benefits.