Tall Chimneys, 49 Brookhouse Road, Barnt Green,, Birmingham, Worcestershire, B45 8JR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and relevant development plan policies
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the existing property and Barnt Green Conservation Area
• If the development would be inappropriate, whether the harm to the Green Belt by way 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 fails to constitute very special circumstances because the harm to the Green Belt through inappropriateness and loss of openness, combined with moderate harm to a non-designated heritage asset and less than substantial harm to the conservation area, is not clearly outweighed by the very limited weight afforded to the housing benefit claimed.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt and considerable harm to heritage assets and conservation area character were not outweighed by the very limited weight given to the housing benefit, resulting in dismissal.