2 Claremont Villas, Coleshill Road, Furnace End, Coleshill, B46 2LG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the development on the living conditions of future occupiers and occupiers of Claremont Villas with particular regard to amenity space, outlook, overlooking and light
• Whether the development would preserve the setting of the Grade II listed Bubble Inn, the Grade II listed Cottage, adjoining Mill garage, and Mill garage, Coleshill Road, and the scheduled monument of Furnace End Bridge
• 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 harm arising from inappropriate development in the Green Belt, combined with harm to character and appearance and living conditions, was not clearly outweighed by the benefits of providing accessible housing, and very special circumstances did not exist to justify the proposal.

The benefits to accessibility and social benefits of allowing local residents to downsize within the village did not clearly outweigh the harm from inappropriate Green Belt development, harm to character and appearance, and harm to living conditions of existing and future occupiers; the balance tipped against the appeal.