Land at Grid Reference 461040 | 142783, West of the B3406, Preston Candover, RG25 2DU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the appeal site is a suitable location for residential development having regard to the adopted local development strategy and access to facilities and services
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including the setting of heritage assets

What decided it

The proposal's location in unsustainable countryside outside the settlement boundary, combined with less-than-substantial harm to the setting of a designated heritage asset (Preston Candover Conservation Area), which provides a strong reason for refusal under Framework paragraph 11d), outweighs the modest socio-economic benefits of housing delivery.

The modest socio-economic benefits and biodiversity enhancements were outweighed by the conflict with the development plan, the unsustainable location requiring reliance on private car use, and the less-than-substantial harm to the setting of the Conservation Area and non-designated heritage asset, with the heritage harm providing a strong reason for refusal under the Framework