The site lay outside the development boundary of the town. The appellants argued that it related visually to existing built development in the area and, in particular, to a local authority highway and engineering depot. They also claimed that more office development was needed to serve the town to reduce commuting levels.
The inspector decided that the scheme would introduce a considerable amount of built development forming a hard edge to the built-up limits of the town. He saw no pressing need for additional office floorspace, given existing and proposed allocations. His concerns were heightened by proposed access arrangements involving a major new road junction. Insufficient evidence had been presented to demonstrate that this would be safe for pedestrians and cyclists, he ruled.
DCS No: 30125852; Inspector: Stuart Nixon; Inquiry.
