land at Hayesden Lane, Tonbridge, KENT, TN11 9AX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• the effect of that development on the openness of the Green Belt
• whether or not the appeal site is an acceptable location for the development proposed, with specific regard to access to facilities
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• whether or not the proposed development would affect highway safety, with specific regard to the access arrangements
• would harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, be clearly outweighed by other considerations, and if so would this amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The proposal represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt which would cause substantial harm to openness and character, and this harm is not clearly outweighed by the limited benefits of housing delivery and economic benefit during construction.

The harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with harm to openness, character and appearance, and highway safety concerns, was not clearly outweighed by the limited weight attributable to housing supply benefits and construction-phase economic benefit, such that very special circumstances do not exist.