Land at SS 664 013 (Clip Park), North Tawton, EX20 2FB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether a safe and suitable access can be achieved
• the effect of the proposed development on local housing needs
• the character and appearance of the area
• the living conditions of the occupiers of No 12 Cornfield Way, with regard to privacy and outlook
• whether the proposal would achieve low carbon design

What decided it

The unsafe and unsuitable access arrangements in direct conflict with Framework paragraph 115, combined with the failure to address identified local housing needs and harmful effect on character and appearance, meant the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits.

The social and economic benefits of housing delivery and carbon savings were outweighed by significant highway safety harm, character and appearance harm, and failure to meet the acute local need for smaller properties; the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.