Waverley Court Farm, Monks Walk, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8HT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework 2023 and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area including the Surrey Hills National Landscape
• The quality of living conditions for future occupiers with particular regard to the access
• 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 proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would cause substantial harm to openness and character and appearance, particularly to the nationally important Surrey Hills National Landscape, and the minor benefits of housing, energy efficiency and biodiversity net gain do not clearly outweigh this harm to constitute very special circumstances.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and harm to openness, combined with harm to the character and appearance of the nationally important Surrey Hills National Landscape, outweighed the minor benefits of housing provision, energy efficiency improvements and biodiversity net gain, and the presumption in favour of sustainable development was disapplied by the clear reason for refusal provided by Green Belt policies.