Bury Farm, Little Wymondley , Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 7JN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and development plan policy
• the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt and the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the development on the living conditions of adjoining occupiers with particular regard to 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 very special circumstances necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The harm to the openness of the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with harm to character and appearance and living conditions of neighbours, was not clearly outweighed by the very special circumstances advanced by the appellant.

The substantial weight given to harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, together with harm to character and appearance and living conditions, was not outweighed by the financial pressures on the farm, local employment benefits, or farm diversification arguments, and very special circumstances were not established.