vacant land rear of 39 North End, Hallaton, LE16 8UJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the character or appearance of the Hallaton Conservation Area (HCA) and the setting of the nearby listed building at 29 High Street (No 29)
• the effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of existing residents, with regard to outlook and light
• whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for future residents, with regard to outlook and light
• whether the proposed development would make adequate provision for biodiversity net gain (BNG)

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the setting of the designated heritage asset (the listed building) and the failure to preserve or enhance the conservation area, combined with harm to existing residents' living conditions, outweighed the modest housing and economic benefits, particularly given the exception to the tilted balance for heritage assets.

The modest benefits of housing delivery and economic benefits were outweighed by the less than substantial harm to the heritage assets (conservation area and listed building setting) and harm to existing residents' living conditions, with the heritage exception to paragraph 11d) of the Framework applying.