Bracken Ley, London Road, Houghton Conquest, MK45 3LP

Authority: Central Bedfordshire Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning
Procedure: Written
Development: residential
Postcode: MK45 3LP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
the effect on highway safety
whether the development would provide satisfactory living conditions for its future occupiers with respect to their outdoor amenity space

What decided it

The significant harm to character and appearance and the compromise to highway safety, which together outweigh the substantial benefits of housing delivery in the context of a shortfall in five-year supply.

The substantial weight given to the benefits of six additional housing units at a time of five-year supply shortfall was outweighed by the considerable weight of harm to character and appearance and highway safety.

Framework references: S5, HO7

Plan policies cited: HQ1, EE5, EE8, EE9, EE4, T2, T3

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What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.
- Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
- Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
- Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
- Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.
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