Land R/O The Hyde Chalet, Glebe Road, Ramsden Bellhouse, BILLERICAY, CM11 1RL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development proposed would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether the development would make acceptable provision for surface water management
• 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 substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with harm to openness and character and appearance, and inadequate surface water management, was not clearly outweighed by the housing benefits and self-build provision, so very special circumstances did not exist.

The considerable weight of housing benefits and self-build provision did not clearly outweigh the substantial weight of Green Belt harm and the additional weight of harm to openness, character and appearance, and flood risk.