Surrey Hill House, Tandridge Hill Lane, Godstone, RH9 8DD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to relevant development plan policy and the revised Framework
• whether the site is suitable for additional residential development having regard to its accessibility to services and facilities
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• whether the site could be provided with safe and suitable access
• whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would harm openness and encroach into the countryside, and these substantial harms are not clearly outweighed by the limited benefits of additional housing and economic activity, so very special circumstances do not exist.

The substantial harm from inappropriateness, loss of openness and encroachment into the countryside was not outweighed by the very limited benefits of additional housing provision and construction-period economic benefits, so very special circumstances were not established.