Land at 1-12 New Road, Littleton, Shepperton, TW17 0QQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal 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
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether the proposal would comply with local and national planning policy which seeks to steer new development away from areas at the highest risk of flooding and avoid increased risks from flooding
• Whether the proposed development would make appropriate provision for smaller sized dwellings
• The effect of the proposed development on highway safety
• If the development is 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 the development

What decided it

The proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt with no very special circumstances to justify it, compounded by failure to satisfy the sequential test for flood risk and substantial harm to character and appearance.

The moderate benefit of housing supply contribution did not clearly outweigh the substantial weight given to Green Belt harm, moderate loss of openness, substantial harm to character and appearance, significant flood risk policy conflict, and failure to provide appropriate housing mix.