Land At The Rear Of 31 Neale Close, Cambridge, CB1 3LE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, with regard to the form, layout and density of development.
• The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with regard to outlook, overbearing impact and privacy.
• Whether the proposal would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers, with regard to the quality of outdoor amenity space.
• The effect of the proposed access to the parking area to the front of the proposed dwelling on highway safety.

What decided it

The limited separation distance between opposing first-floor habitable room windows of the proposed dwelling and Nos. 200 and 202 Church End would result in a substantial loss of privacy for future occupiers and neighbouring residents.

the identified harm to living conditions through loss of privacy, together with conflict with Policy 52 of the Local Plan, outweighed the substantial weight attached to the housing benefit, the principle of development under Policy L2.1(d), and the moderate weight given to economic and environmental benefits, such that the adverse impacts would substantially outweigh the benefits when assessed against the Framework's national decision-making policies