Old Sun Valley Poultry Site, Off Birch View Road, Much Dewchurch, Herefordshire, HR2 8SH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the landscape character of the area
• whether the proposed development would provide adequate surface water and foul water management and the effect of the foul drainage system on the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring properties at Etna and on Birch View, predominately from flood risk and odour
• the effect of the development on biodiversity, especially Great Crested Newts and bats
• the effect of the development on the living conditions of the future occupants of the proposal and the occupants of neighbouring properties from contamination
• the effect of the development on the River Wye Special Area of Conservation

What decided it

The cumulative weight of significant harm to landscape character, inadequate foul drainage management, unresolved biodiversity survey requirements, and contamination risks significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited housing benefits, even under the tilted balance.

The significant environmental and amenity harms from landscape impact, foul water management uncertainty, biodiversity impacts, and contamination risks significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits of six dwellings and economic gains, such that the presumption in favour of development did not apply.