Asmall Hall Care Home, Asmall Lane, Scarisbrick, Ormskirk, L40 8JL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies, and the effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt
• whether the proposal would preserve a Grade II listed building, Coach House approximately 20 metres east of Asmall House (Ref: 1073111) and any of the features of special architectural or historic interest that it possesses
• the effect of the development on protected species, in particular bats
• if the development is inappropriate, would the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, be clearly outweighed by other considerations. If so, would this amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the development

What decided it

The harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and loss of openness was not clearly outweighed by other considerations, including the contribution to elderly care provision, such that very special circumstances did not exist.

The significant harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and limited harm to openness, given substantial weight, were not clearly outweighed by the considerable weight given to elderly care provision and the neutral factors of heritage preservation and protected species, resulting in the absence of very special circumstances.