The Old Milking Parlour, Worth Farm, Wells Road, Wells, BA5 1LW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposed change of use would have an effect on the integrity of the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site

What decided it

The absence of a secured Nutrient Neutrality Assessment and Mitigation Strategy demonstrating that the proposal would not compromise the integrity of the Habitat Sites through increased phosphate discharge meant the competent authority could not be satisfied that the proposal would not adversely affect the protected site.

The harm to the integrity of the Habitat Sites and conflict with the development plan attracted substantial weight and could not be outweighed by other material considerations, particularly as the Framework policies protecting habitat sites provide a strong reason for refusal and the proposal does not benefit from the presumption in favour of sustainable development.