Land South of Knights Lane, All Saints, Nr Axminster, Devon, EX13 7LS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposed development would be in an appropriate location, having regard to development in the countryside and access to services and facilities
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area and the National Landscape
• the effect of the proposed development on the River Axe Special Area of Conservation, with particular regard to phosphate levels

What decided it

The significant shortfall in housing land supply (2.97 years) engaged the tilted balance under Framework paragraph 11d), and the modest but important contribution to housing delivery and self-build provision outweighed the limited and localised harm to the National Landscape and character and appearance.

The conflict with development plan policies on location, sustainability, character and appearance, and harm to the National Landscape (to which great weight was given) were outweighed by the significant housing supply shortfall, the modest but important contribution to housing delivery on a windfall basis, the provision of self-build housing to meet unmet demand, support for the rural community and local services, and the limited and localised nature of the landscape harm; the presumption in favour of sustainable development therefore applied.