Land at Low Road / Fox Lane, North Tuddenham, Norfolk, NR20 3DH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area including the impact any future visibility splays would have on existing mature hedgerows
• Whether or not the appeal site is an appropriate location for the proposed dwellings having regard to development plan policies relating to development within the countryside, including whether or not there is an adequate mechanism to secure the provision of self-build dwellings at the appeal site
• Whether adequate information has been provided to determine whether or not the proposal would unacceptably harm protected species
• The effect of the proposal on highway safety
• Whether adequate information has been provided to determine whether or not the proposal would result in an unacceptable flood risk

What decided it

The unacceptable harm to character and appearance caused by introducing residential development into open countryside that makes a significant contribution to the rural scene, combined with the location being inappropriate under development plan policies and inadequate ecological information, outweighed the housing benefits.

The benefits of up to seven dwellings including two affordable units and self-build provision, afforded high-side moderate weight, were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the significant harm to character and appearance, the inappropriate location contrary to development plan policies, and inadequate ecological information.