The Stables, Little Common Lane, Bletchingley, Redhill, RH1 4QF

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• The quality of living conditions for future occupiers
• Whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The proposal's greater impact on Green Belt openness and harm to character and appearance, combined with the absence of very special circumstances, outweigh the modest housing benefits and engage the Green Belt exception in footnote 7 of the Framework, displacing the tilted balance.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and loss of openness, together with harm to character and appearance, was not outweighed by the modest social and economic benefits of a single new dwelling, and very special circumstances do not exist.