Site adjoining 2 Heathery Lane, Street Record, Heathery Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5EQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the revised Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the future occupiers of the development, having regard to light and outlook
• Would the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, 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 with a greater impact on openness than existing development, and the substantial weight given to this harm, combined with harm to character and appearance and living conditions, was not clearly outweighed by other considerations.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with adverse effects on openness, character and appearance, and living conditions of future occupiers, was not clearly outweighed by limited positive weight attached to sustainable design credentials, resulting in refusal.