26 Wilrich Avenue, Canvey Island, SS8 7RR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of the occupiers of 11 Westerland Avenue with particular regard to outlook and light
• whether the proposed development is acceptable having regard to flood risk
• the effect of the proposed development on the Benfleet and Southern Marshes Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site

What decided it

The adverse impacts of the proposal on character and appearance and neighbouring living conditions, particularly the requirement to have particular regard to securing well-designed places under paragraph 11(d)(ii), significantly and demonstrably outweighed the modest housing and economic benefits.

The modest housing and economic benefits of the proposal were outweighed by the substantial harm to character and appearance and neighbouring living conditions, with particular regard to the Framework's requirement to secure well-designed places; the tilted balance did not apply because the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits.