Land North of 34 Woodside Road, Lower Woodside, Bedfordshire, LU1 4DQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the appeal site and surrounding area
• The effect of the proposed development on protected species
• The effect of the proposed development on flood risk
• If the proposal is inappropriate development, 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 required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The substantial weight to be given to Green Belt harm (inappropriateness and loss of openness) was not clearly outweighed by the moderate benefits of affordable housing provision, particularly given the absence of current evidence of local need and the unresolved ecological and flood risk concerns.

the substantial weight to be given to Green Belt harm (inappropriateness and loss of openness) and other harm (ecological uncertainty and flood risk) was not clearly outweighed by the moderate benefits of affordable housing provision and minor construction and economic benefits