Land Next to No. 78 Woodside Road, Woodside, Luton, LU1 4DQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• The effect upon the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect upon the character and appearance of the area
• The effect upon the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers at No 80, having particular regard to privacy, light and outlook
• The effect upon highway safety
• If the proposal would be inappropriate development, whether or not 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 necessary to justify it

What decided it

The proposal's modest benefits, when considered cumulatively, would not outweigh the substantial harm identified to the Green Belt and the additional identified harms to character and appearance and neighbouring living conditions, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify inappropriate development.

The benefits of housing delivery and economic support were outweighed by the substantial harm to the Green Belt (including loss of openness), moderate harm to character and appearance, and harm to neighbouring living conditions.