Land at Irwelll Vale, Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire, BL0 0QP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether or not the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposed development on highway safety
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the proposed development on the living conditions of future occupiers with particular regard to privacy
• If the proposal 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 to justify granting planning permission for the development

What decided it

The development constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt with substantial harm to openness and conflict with Green Belt purposes, and the benefits presented do not clearly outweigh this harm to amount to very special circumstances.

The substantial harm from Green Belt inappropriateness and loss of openness, combined with highway safety concerns and minor character harm, outweighed the benefits of housing contribution, building preservation and carbon savings, such that very special circumstances do not exist.