Land to the north side of The Nook, Tyrells Lane, Lower Bentley, BROMSGROVE, B60 4HX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the appeal site is an appropriate location for residential development with regard to local and national planning policies
• The effect of the proposed development upon the character and appearance of the area
• Whether an affordable housing contribution is required to make the proposal acceptable in planning terms

What decided it

The building is disused and the proposed conversion would re-use it and enhance its immediate setting, meeting the exception in NPPF paragraph 80(c) for isolated homes in the countryside.

The conflict with development plan policies directing development to accessible locations is given limited weight because the Framework permits isolated new homes in the countryside where they re-use redundant or disused buildings and enhance their setting; the benefits of housing supply, economic benefits during construction, and contribution to rural vitality outweigh the adverse impacts, and the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies.