448 Norton Lane, Earlswood, SOLIHULL, B94 5LR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and relevant development plan policies
• whether the location of the proposal is acceptable with regard to access to facilities and sustainable transport modes
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupants of No 448 with particular regard to privacy, outlook and access to outside space
• whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for the future occupants of plot 1, with particular regard to privacy, outlook and access to outside space
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the appeal site and surrounding area
• the effect of the proposal on highway safety, with regard to site access
• if the proposal is inappropriate development, whether the 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 development

What decided it

The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would harm openness, and the benefits of housing delivery do not clearly outweigh this substantial harm and the harm to existing residents' living conditions, such that very special circumstances do not exist to justify the development.

The significant weight afforded to the delivery of three additional houses and modest economic benefits did not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, the harm to the living conditions of existing occupants of No 448, and the unacceptable location with regard to accessibility, resulting in dismissal of the appeal.