Land At Former Heathside Nursery and 64 Leyton Cross Road, Wilmington, DA2 7AN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development within the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies, and its effects on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the proposal on living conditions for nearby residents, with particular regard to noise disturbance
• Whether or not the development would make an appropriate provision for affordable housing
• 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 fails to meet the exception in paragraph 154(g) of the Framework because it is not limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed land, as the entirety of the appeal site is not previously developed land and new buildings would be erected beyond the limits of any previously developed land.

The substantial weight given to Green Belt harm (inappropriateness, loss of openness, conflict with three Green Belt purposes) and harm to character and appearance, together with conflict with development plan policies on sustainable location, was not clearly outweighed by the modest benefits of housing supply and the significant benefit of affordable housing provision.