Bishops Stortford Lawn Tennis Club, Cricketfield Lane, Bishops Stortford, Herts, CM23 2TD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposals would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• the effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• whether the proposals make appropriate provision for car parking, and if not, the effect of any under provision
• whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal (Appeal A only)

What decided it

For Appeal A, the very substantial weight attributed to the benefits of promoting physical and mental well-being through access to sport facilities clearly outweighed the limited harm to Green Belt openness, establishing very special circumstances. For Appeal B, the absence of inappropriate development meant the proposal complied with Green Belt policy without requiring a balancing exercise.

Appeal A: the benefits of promoting healthy and safe communities through provision of padel court facilities, attracting very substantial weight, clearly outweighed the limited harm to Green Belt openness, which attracted substantial weight at the lower end of the spectrum, establishing very special circumstances. Appeal B: no balancing exercise required as the proposal did not constitute inappropriate development.