Land East Of Wood Lane, Wood Lane, Clapton-in-Gordano, BS20 7RQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use, and the amount of development, with particular regard to whether the proposed development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt
• the locational strategy in the development plan and the accessibility of services and facilities
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• 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 proposed development

What decided it

The proposed development would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt with harms that are not clearly outweighed by other considerations, and the very special circumstances required to justify it do not exist.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with harm to openness, unsuitability of location, and harm to character and appearance, were not clearly outweighed by the limited positive impacts in economic, social and environmental terms, including the contribution to housing supply and economic benefits, which were given no more than moderate weight.