Land at High Haden Road and Farmhouse Close, Cradley Heath, B64 7PE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the appeal development on the character and appearance of the local area
• whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for existing occupants of adjacent properties, with particular regard to outlook and privacy
• the effect of the proposed development on habitats and biodiversity

What decided it

The proposal accords with the development plan taken as a whole, causing no harm to character and appearance, neighbouring amenity, or biodiversity, and therefore the appeal should be allowed regardless of housing land supply shortfall.

Although the Council cannot demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply and paragraph 11(d)(ii) of the Framework is engaged, the proposal accords with the development plan and causes no identified adverse impacts, making it unnecessary to rely on the presumption in favour of sustainable development.