56 Althorpe Drive, City Of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, PO3 5XB

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 proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of the neighbouring property, having regard to outlook
• whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupiers, having regard to privacy, outlook, living space, parking provision and waste storage
• whether the proposal would provide adequate safety for future occupiers in relation to flood risk, particularly for the ground floor flat
• the effect of the proposed development on highway safety
• whether the development would achieve nutrient neutrality, or otherwise secure appropriate mitigation for increased nutrient discharge affecting European designated sites
• whether adequate mitigation is secured to address recreational disturbance impacts on the Solent Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

What decided it

The absence of a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment demonstrating safety for future occupiers in an area of high flood risk, combined with unacceptable harm to character and appearance and neighbouring living conditions, meant the identified harms substantially outweighed the limited housing benefits.