Shrublands Day Hospital, 47 Queens Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP13 6AQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• whether the proposal would conserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area, as development within its setting
• the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, in respect of privacy, light and outlook
• whether the proposal would provide sufficient parking, with particular regard to the effect on highway safety and convenience for local residents

What decided it

The substantial harm to character and appearance, conservation area setting, neighbouring living conditions and highway safety cumulatively and demonstrably outweighed the significant benefits of housing delivery and brownfield reuse, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.

The significant public benefits of 12 additional dwellings, brownfield reuse, economic benefits and biodiversity net gain were outweighed by the substantial harm to character and appearance, less than substantial harm to the conservation area setting, significant harm to neighbouring living conditions through loss of privacy and light, and adverse highway safety impacts from insufficient parking provision; the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits.