The Cottage Foxes Lane, Welham Green, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7BA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, including its effect on the openness of the Green Belt, having regard to local and national policy
• whether the appeal site would be a suitable location for the proposed development, in respect of local and national policy
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, including the fallback so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify development

What decided it

The substantial harm to the Green Belt from inappropriateness and moderate loss of openness, combined with harm to character and appearance and unsuitability of location, was not clearly outweighed by the moderate benefit of contributing one dwelling to a shortfall in housing supply.

The moderate positive weight given to housing supply contribution and limited positive weight to other benefits did not clearly outweigh the substantial weight given to harm to the Green Belt from inappropriateness, loss of openness, and harm to character and appearance, so very special circumstances did not exist.