Bybrook Meadow, Ashley , Box, Wiltshire

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to relevant development plan and national planning policies, taking into account the effect on the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within it
• Whether the proposed development would conserve or enhance the natural beauty of the landscape within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Whether the location of the proposed development is acceptable, having regard to the accessibility of services and facilities
• If the development is inappropriate, 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 to the openness of the Green Belt, conflict with the purposes of the Green Belt, harm to the Cotswolds AONB, and unsuitability of the location for residential development were not clearly outweighed by other considerations, and very special circumstances did not exist to justify the development.

The moderate weight afforded to the re-use of a disused building and limited weight to other material considerations did not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, the erosion of openness, conflict with Green Belt purposes, harm to the AONB, and unsuitability of location, resulting in dismissal of the appeal.