Forge Garage, Church Road, Churchill, OX7 6NJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, including whether it would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Conservation Area
• the effect of the development upon the significance and setting of other heritage assets
• whether the development would provide satisfactory living conditions having regard to its proximity to an existing play area and the quality and quantity of garden space
• whether the proposal would lead to the unacceptable loss of an employment site

What decided it

The substantial weight afforded to housing delivery against a demonstrated shortfall in five-year housing land supply, combined with the heritage benefits and sensitive redevelopment of a settlement site, outweighed the significant harm of losing an existing employment site when the tilted balance under Framework policy S4 was applied.

The significant harm from the loss of an existing employment site and local car services facility was not of substantial weight and was not substantially outweighed by the very considerable weight of the benefits comprising heritage enhancement, housing delivery against a 4.38-year supply shortfall, sensitive redevelopment within a settlement, and renewable energy provision, tipping the balance in favour of allowing the appeal.