Wigton Heath Farm, Manor House Lane, Alwoodley, Leeds, LS17 9JD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether or not the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposal on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area and the special landscape area
• The effect of the proposal on highway safety with particular reference to visibility at the proposed access point
• If the proposal is inappropriate development 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 necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The substantial weight given to the harm to Green Belt openness and purposes, and harm to the character of the Special Landscape Area, was not clearly outweighed by the modest benefits of housing supply and other considerations, such that very special circumstances could not be established.

The modest benefits of housing land supply contribution, biodiversity enhancements and economic benefits did not clearly outweigh the substantial weight to be given to Green Belt harm by reason of inappropriateness, loss of openness and conflict with Green Belt purposes, and harm to the Special Landscape Area character, and the balance tipped decisively against the proposal.