Vidor, Honiley Avenue, Wickford, Essex, SS12 9JE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
• whether the development provides satisfactory living conditions for future occupiers, with particular regard to outlook, light, and the suitability of outdoor amenity space
• the effect of the development on the living conditions of occupiers of Cymbeline, with particular regard to outlook and overlooking
• would the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The substantial Green Belt harm (from loss of spatial openness and conflict with Green Belt purposes), combined with other identified harm, was not clearly outweighed by the other considerations, so very special circumstances did not exist.

The substantial weight given to Green Belt and other harm was not clearly outweighed by the significant weight attached to the unmet need for care beds, moderate weight to the housing land supply shortfall, and moderate/limited weight to economic and social benefits, so the balance tipped against the development.