The application site is located in the countryside and within an Area of ParticuIarly Attractive Countyside. The proposed development would conflict with the provisions of saved policies ST/1, ST/2, CT/1 and CT/7 of the adopted Borough of Charnwood Local Plan. It is acknowedged that the Council does not have a 5 year supply of housing land and that in the context of the National Planning Policy Framework, there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. However, the Borough Council considers that the development would significantly and demonstrably fail to protect the intrinsic beauty of the landscape and would therefore be contrary to the guidance contained in the NPPF with which the saved policies of the Local Plan are consistent. The site forms an integral part of the open, undulating countryside which acts as an attractive “buffer” to the setting of the Charnwood Forest beyond. The proposed housing development would be prominent, particularly when viewed from the higher land to the south and when viewed from the well-used public footpaths K57, K59 and K15. Notwithstanding the mitigation proposed, the development would introduce a visually prominent and intrusive spur of housing development extending into the countryside beyond the Limits to Development for Loughborough, as identified on the adopted Borough of Charnwood Local Plan Proposals Map. For these reasons, it is considered that the adverse impacts of the development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefit afforded by the relatively modest contribution to the supply of housing that the development would represent.