The application for outline permission includes plans for 175 homes, of which 33% would be affordable, as well as up to 4,000 square metres of employment space.
The inspector said in his decision letter that, although the proposal conflicted with local policies as it was outside specified settlement areas, the Council's housing shortfall meant that the policies were not considered up to date under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and planning permission should be granted unless the adverse effects of the plans would "significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits".
He said that the addition of up to 175 homes would represent a "significant increase" in the size of Blofield, but that it would not be inappropriate at "this level in the settlement hierarchy". The development would "not only make an important contribution to general housing land supply, but would provide a further benefit through adding to the stock of affordable housing," the inspector said.
He said that, although the housing component of the proposals would be premature because it would predetermine decisions about the location of residential development at Blofield which was intended to be taken as part of the Council's forthcoming Site Allocations policy, this was outweighed by the benefits the proposals would make in contributing to meet the housing shortfall.
“There were good reasons to refuse [the application] at the time, but you have to respect that inspectors may disagree with certain decisions," said Council leader Andrew Proctor according to local reports.
“We are disappointed at this decision but that is tempered to a degree by some very useful guidance which is contained within the judgment,” he said.
