500 Chippenham homes have been refused permission on appeal after finding that they would have a negative impact on the landscape, heritage assets and the "identity" of the village. It was felt that the benefits of the scheme were not convincing enough.
Inspector Philip Major had also taken into account a previous appeal decision indicating that Wiltshire Council possesses only a 4.25 year supply of deliverable housing land.
Major admitted that the appeal site is not formally designated as a landscape but argued that the site was "not without merit". Some of the key characteristics which would be significantly affected by the development included the "gently rolling" topography, mixed field sizes and mature vegetation.
Other development to the south of the site, that had recently been approved, changed the context of the development but Major still argued the impact to the north side would be significant and adverse. He also noted substantial harm to the setting of four listed buildings in the area.
He acknowledged the "undoubted benefits" of the development, including 40% affordable social housing, a new local centre, primary school and employment land but found that the issues identified and the "dilution" of the village’s identity rendered the scheme unsustainable.
