Monkham Down, Cow Down Road, Chard, TA20 4HW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the site is in a suitable location having regard to the development plan policies concerning residential development in the countryside with reference to the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the site and its surroundings

What decided it

The proposed dwelling's siting in an open field significantly distant from the existing mobile home, combined with its substantially larger size, would cause unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the countryside that was not justified by the replacement dwelling need or housing supply shortfall.

The adverse impact on countryside character and appearance, given substantial weight through policies HG8 and EQ2, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits of improved accommodation and housing supply contribution, with the presumption in favour of sustainable development not applying.