Atlanta, Wargrave Road, Remenham, Wokingham, RG9 3JD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the breach of planning control alleged in the notice is inappropriate development in the Green Belt for the purposes of the National Planning Policy Framework (Framework) and the development plan
• the effect of the development, if any, on the character and appearance of the area
• whether the development increases the risk of flooding on the site and elsewhere
• if the breach of planning control alleged in the notice is inappropriate development in the Green Belt, 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
• whether the Council's decision to refuse to grant a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development (LDC) was well founded

What decided it

The finding that Building A and the decking constituted inappropriate new development causing harm to Green Belt openness and increased flood risk, unmitigated by any very special circumstances.

Substantial weight attached to Green Belt harm from inappropriateness and significant weight to flood risk were not clearly outweighed by the limited/minimal weight given to the appellant's countervailing considerations, so very special circumstances did not exist and permission was refused.