Land at 375206/151113, Sands Cross Lane, Buckland, Dinham, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2QX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the appeal site is a suitable location for housing having regard to the development plan for the area
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area including whether the proposal would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Buckland Dinham Conservation Area
• the effect of the proposed development on the integrity of the Mells Valley Special Area of Conservation
• highway safety
• whether the appeal site is a suitable location for housing having regard to the accessibility of services and facilities

What decided it

The failure to provide ecological surveys and mitigation measures to demonstrate compliance with the Habitats Regulations, combined with the less than substantial harm to the Buckland Dinham Conservation Area and the conflict with the development plan's spatial strategy, outweighed the modest benefits of one additional dwelling.

The modest benefits of one additional dwelling, short-term economic benefits from construction, and social benefits from occupation did not outweigh the identified harm to the conservation area, the failure to comply with the Habitats Regulations, and the conflict with the development plan's spatial strategy; the balance tipped decisively against the proposal.