Casterbridge Industrial Estate, Access Lane to Casterbridge Industrial Estate, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1PL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would be suitably located having regard to relevant development plan policies
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of No.5 Swanbridge Mobile Home Park with regard to outlook
• the effect of the proposal on flood risk
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of No.5, and whether the proposal would provide suitable living conditions for future occupiers, with particular regard to noise and disturbance

What decided it

The proposal would harm flood risk by virtue of its location in an area at risk of groundwater flooding and the absence of demonstrated safe access and escape routes, which provides a strong reason for refusal that engages the exception to the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

The modest benefits of a self-build live/work unit contributing to housing supply and local economy were outweighed by the significant harm from unsuitability of location, breach of employment site protection policy, overbearing impact on neighbouring amenity, flood risk, and character and appearance harm, with the conflict with the development plan given significant weight.