Land East of 2 Edge Lane, Colden, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7HJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the green belt, having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• the effect of the proposed development on the openness of the green belt
• if the proposed development is inappropriate, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations. If so, would this amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
• the effect of the proposed development on highway safety

What decided it

The substantial harm to green belt openness and the failure to secure highway safety arrangements through a legal agreement at the outline stage, which together demonstrably outweighed the limited benefit of one additional dwelling.

The limited benefit of delivering one new dwelling was outweighed by the substantial harm to green belt openness, the harm to the green belt purpose of safeguarding the countryside from encroachment, and significant highway safety concerns; the tilted balance did not apply due to the green belt location and the Council's demonstrated five-year housing land supply.