Land at Chingford Mill Pumping Station, 35 Lower Hall Lane, Chingford, E4 8AG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the conversion of the PS to self-contained flats and the conversion of the TH into a self-contained dwelling constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt ("the GB")
• Whether the demolition of an existing dwelling and erection of 5 two-storey dwellings constitutes inappropriate development in the GB
• The effect on the openness and purposes of including land in the GB
• The effects on heritage assets
• Flood risk
• The effects on the site's contribution to recreation
• The effects on air quality
• The effects on greenhouse gas emissions
• The need for and provision of affordable housing, having regard to the financial viability of the development
• If any part of the DPA constitutes inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The harm to the openness and purposes of the Green Belt from the inappropriate development was not clearly outweighed by other considerations, so very special circumstances were not demonstrated.

the harm to the Green Belt, the less than substantial harm to heritage assets, and other identified harms were not, individually or cumulatively, clearly outweighed by other considerations including human rights, so the balance tipped against granting permission