Ravenswood Farm , Church Lane, Sarratt, Hertfordshire, WD3 6HJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies, including the effect upon the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
• whether the proposal would provide satisfactory living conditions for the future occupiers
• whether the proposal would secure affordable housing
• 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 proposal

What decided it

The proposal would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would harm openness and conflict with the purposes of including land within it, and very special circumstances do not exist to justify it.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with harm to character and appearance and failure to provide adequate living conditions, was not clearly outweighed by the claimed benefits of rural worker housing, security, or reduced vehicle trips, such that very special circumstances do not exist.