Thwaite End Barn, Main Road, Bolton Le Sands, CARNFORTH, Lancashire, LA5 9TN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies including, where appropriate, its effect on openness
• Whether the proposed development would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers, with particular regard to outlook and the provision of private outdoor amenity space
• If the development is inappropriate, whether any 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 substantial harm to Green Belt openness arising from boundary treatments and domestic paraphernalia, combined with inadequate living conditions for future occupiers, was not clearly outweighed by the housing supply shortfall or sustainability benefits.

The substantial weight given to Green Belt harm was not outweighed by the housing supply benefits and sustainability of location; the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply because the Green Belt harm provided a clear reason for refusal.