Land East Of Cut Heath House, Parsonage Lane, Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire, SL2 3PA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• Whether or not the proposal would lead to an unacceptable loss or deterioration of ancient woodland, in addition to consideration of the effect of the proposal upon on-site protected trees
• The effect upon biodiversity, having particular regard to protected species and the aim to achieve biodiversity net-gain
• Whether or not it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that acceptable arrangements for the collection of waste would prevail
• Whether or not it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that acceptable arrangements for the management of surface water would prevail
• Whether or not acceptable living conditions would be created for future occupiers of the proposed development, having particular regard to the standard of outdoor amenity space
• If the proposal would be inappropriate development, whether or not the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify it

What decided it

The substantial harm to Green Belt openness and the unacceptable effect on protected trees could not be outweighed by the identified benefits, including housing delivery in an area with a 1.3-year supply.

The benefits of seven dwellings, construction jobs, support to local economy and facilities, and biodiversity net gain were significant and attracted great weight, but did not outweigh the substantial harm to Green Belt openness and the additional harm to on-site protected trees.