Sherfield Oaks Golf Course, Wildmoor Lane, Sherfield-On-Loddon, HOOK, RG27 0HB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposed development would provide a suitable location for housing, having regard to national policy, the development strategy for the area, proximity or access to services, facilities and opportunities for sustainable transport, and the transition to a low carbon future
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• whether the proposal would preserve the setting of the Sherfield-on-Loddon Conservation Area and the setting of nearby heritage assets
• the effect of the proposal on highway and pedestrian safety, with particular regard to visibility splays for the proposed residential development
• the effect of the proposal on nearby trees and Breach Copse SINC

What decided it

The harm to the setting of the Conservation Area and the Grade II listed wall, combined with the unsuitability of the location for sustainable residential development, outweighed the modest housing benefit, particularly given the Framework's strong protection for designated heritage assets.

The modest benefit of three dwellings and economic contribution during construction was outweighed by less-than-substantial but considerable harm to designated heritage assets, harm to character and appearance, unsuitability of location for sustainable development, highway safety concerns, and harm to trees and the SINC; the Framework's heritage protection policies provided a strong reason for refusal displacing the presumption in favour of sustainable development.