The Elms And Land Adjacent Mottingham Lane, Mottingham, London, Bromley, SE9 4RT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal is inappropriate development on MOL
• the effect of the proposal on the openness of MOL
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, the setting of the Fairmount Grade II listed building, and on Norlesden House as a non-designated heritage asset
• the effect of the proposal on protected trees
• 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 required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The substantial harm to the openness and designation of Metropolitan Open Land, combined with harm to heritage assets and protected trees, is not clearly outweighed by the modest contribution to housing supply, so very special circumstances do not exist to justify the inappropriate development.

The substantial harm to the MOL by reason of inappropriateness and loss of openness, together with harm to heritage assets and protected trees, is not clearly outweighed by moderate weight given to housing supply contribution and limited weight given to green infrastructure and site stewardship, so the appeal is dismissed.