Threeways Cottage, Rockbourne, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 3NL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the scheme upon the character and appearance of the area, having particular regard to its location within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, to its effect upon the settings of nearby listed buildings, and whether it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Rockbourne Conservation Area
• whether the scheme would be in a suitable location for residential development, having regard to national and local policy
• whether future occupiers would experience acceptable living conditions with regard to internal space
• the effect of the scheme upon protected habitat sites

What decided it

The cumulative harm to the character and appearance of the National Landscape and Conservation Area, the settings of listed buildings, future occupiers' living conditions, and the failure to secure adequate habitat mitigation significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of housing delivery despite the Council's acute housing land supply shortfall.

The benefits of providing an additional dwelling and supporting village services, together with modest economic benefits from construction, were outweighed by the considerable harms to the National Landscape, designated heritage assets, future occupiers' living conditions, and the failure to secure habitat site mitigation, with the cumulative adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighing the benefits.