Land to the west of Healds Green, Chadderton, Oldham, OL1 2SP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to any relevant development plan policies and policies in the Framework
• if the proposed development is inappropriate development, its effect on the openness of the Green Belt
• whether the proposal makes appropriate provision for affordable housing, having regard to relevant development plan policies and the Framework
• whether the proposal makes appropriate provision for public open space, having regard to relevant development plan policies and the Framework
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of occupiers of existing neighbouring properties (in particular, dwellings on Healds Green)
• whether the proposal would provide satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers
• whether the proposal would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety
• if the development is inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations that amount to the very special circumstances (VSCs) required to justify the development

What decided it

The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt causing significant harm to its openness and encroaching into the countryside, and this harm is not clearly outweighed by other considerations amounting to very special circumstances.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and significant impacts on openness, combined with failures to provide adequate affordable housing, public open space, and satisfactory living conditions, and unresolved highway safety concerns, were not outweighed by the modest economic benefits and contribution to housing supply.