Mount Clare Campus, Minstead Gardens, Roehampton Gate, SW15 4EE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would preserve a Grade I listed building known as Clare Mount House and a Grade II* listed building known as The Temple, along with setting or features of special architectural or historic interest that each possesses; preserve a Grade II Alton West Registered Park and Garden; preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Alton Conservation Area (CA)
• Whether the proposal would optimise site capacity, having regard to dwelling type, AH, mixed and balanced communities, local plan allocation and best use of land, and residents' accessibility to services and facilities
• Whether the proposal would provide acceptable play space provision
• Whether the proposal would result in a high-quality living accommodation

What decided it

The failure to optimise the capacity of the site allocation, given the lack of detailed re-use proposals for the highly significant Grade I and Grade II* listed buildings on the remainder of the site, was attributed substantial, overriding weight against the proposal.

The substantial housing, social, economic, re-use and sustainability benefits of the TA proposal did not outweigh the conflicts with the development plan, particularly the failure to optimise site capacity in relation to the heritage assets, and full weight was given to the primacy of the development plan, resulting in dismissal.