2 Highbury Grove Court, Highbury Grove, London, N5 2NG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers, having regard to the layout, circulation space, outlook and aspect, and the provision of functional, usable and comfortable accommodation
• whether the proposal would provide a high standard of inclusive design, with regard to the adequacy of the proposed access arrangements, safety, potential noise disturbance and the provision of step-free access
• whether sufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the development would adequately address sustainability matters, including minimising greenhouse gas emissions, managing overheating risk, improving air quality, delivering integrated water management and sustainable drainage, promoting circular economy principles, and protecting and enhancing biodiversity, having regard to the loss of trees and the potential effects on the adjacent Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC)

What decided it

The proposal's failure to provide step-free access, conflicting with explicit accessibility design standards under Policy DP3(3) of the Framework and Policies D5, D7 and H4 of the development plan, without clear justification for departure.

Substantial weight to housing delivery and significant weight to the affordable housing contribution did not amount to the clear justification required by Policy DP3(3) to outweigh conflict with explicit accessibility design standards, so the balance tipped against the proposal.