Land at Junction of Chapel Lane and Manchester Road, Rixton, Warrington, WA4 4RZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• the effect of the proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt
• the suitability of the location of the proposed development, having regard to its proximity to services
• the living conditions of the proposed occupiers of the building
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• would the harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm, be clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The substantial weight required to be given to harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and harm to openness, which is not outweighed by the moderate weight given to care home demand or other material considerations.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and harm to openness, together with conflict with development plan policies and other harms to character and appearance and sustainability of location, outweigh the moderate weight given to demonstrated demand for dementia care accommodation and economic benefits, such that very special circumstances do not exist to justify the development.