5 Oakwell Drive, Northaw, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 4EZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt including with regard to the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• whether or not the development would be in a suitable location having regard to the accessibility of services and facilities
• if the development would be inappropriate, 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 necessary to justify it

What decided it

The fallback position of the S73 development (which would have greater built form above ground) combined with the absence of a five-year housing land supply and the limited but important contribution to housing supply outweighed the limited harms to the Green Belt, character and appearance, and location sustainability.

The limited harm to openness of the Green Belt, character and appearance, and location sustainability was outweighed by the fallback position (which would cause greater harm), the contribution to housing supply in an area of undersupply, and limited social and economic benefits, amounting to very special circumstances.