The only issue in the case related to noise and disturbance concerns arising from the proposed access for the 95 new dwellings, which would be via a new junction from an existing cul-de-sac and between two existing houses.
The new access would be located only 3.7 metres away from the living room window of one of the houses. However, the inspector could find no conflict from the scheme with the adopted local plan policies which sought to ensure that development respected local context and the amenity of surrounding properties. This was because there was no substantive evidence produced by the council regarding noise and disturbance on either the occupiers of the existing cul-de-sac or the houses closest to the new junction which would see 72 vehicle movements at the am peak and 65 at the pm peak. There had been no objections raised by the highway authority or the council’s pollution officer. The inspector held whilst the scheme would involve increased noise and disturbance for the occupiers of the nearest house, there was no evidence that this would be of unacceptable levels and the relationship and distances involved were not uncommon or dissimilar to others in the village. The inspector recommended a hedge would provide visual screening.
Inspector: K Stephens; Written representations
