London Road, Addington, West Malling, Kent, ME19 5AN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, including its effect on openness
• whether the proposed development would adhere to the Council's strategy for redevelopment of the site
• whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupants, with particular reference to loss of light and noise and disturbance
• if the development is inappropriate, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and significant harm to openness was not clearly outweighed by the moderate weight of other considerations, and therefore very special circumstances did not exist to justify the development.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and significant harm to openness was weighed against moderate weight benefits comprising housing delivery, reduced traffic generation, ecological and decontamination benefits, and s.106 contributions; the balance tipped decisively against the proposal.