Rhydda Bank, Dean Lane, Meopham, GRAVESEND, Kent, DA13 0BS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• whether the site is a suitable location for the proposed development having regard to the provisions of local and national policy and the accessibility of services and facilities
• the effect of the proposed development on the landscape, character and appearance of the surrounding area
• biodiversity
• highway safety
• 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 and the absence of very special circumstances to justify inappropriate development in the Green Belt, combined with harm to character and appearance, sustainability, biodiversity and highway safety, outweighed the limited benefit of one additional dwelling.

The substantial harms to the Green Belt (inappropriateness and loss of openness), character and appearance, landscape quality, biodiversity, highway safety and sustainability were not clearly outweighed by the limited benefit of one additional dwelling to housing supply, particularly given the absence of any mechanism to ensure affordability or evidence of specific local need.