Land Adjacent The Grove, Barston Lane, Barston, West Midlands, B92 0JP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and development plan policies
• Whether the appeal site is a suitable location for residential development having regard to its accessibility to services and facilities
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, including the impact on trees
• If the development is inappropriate, 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 constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt causing substantial harm to openness and character, with no very special circumstances to justify it, and the Green Belt protection provides a clear reason for refusal that displaces the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

The modest benefit from creation of one new dwelling did not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt and the character and appearance of the area, and the presumption in favour of sustainable development was not engaged because Green Belt protection provided a clear reason for refusal.