Land at Kingsway, London Road, Bourne End, Hertfordshire, HP1 2RQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposed development 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 proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the proposed development on the conditions of the users of the neighbouring Bourne End Day Nursery, with particular regard to sunlight and daylight
• if the development is inappropriate, 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 necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The development constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and the modest benefits do not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to Green Belt openness and inappropriateness, so very special circumstances do not exist.

the substantial weight accorded to harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and loss of openness was not clearly outweighed by the moderate housing benefits and limited economic and community benefits