Maythorne Farm, Scholebrook Lane, Tong, Bradford, BD4 0RN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• Whether the development would preserve the setting of Maythorne Farmhouse, a Grade II listed building
• The effect on the character and appearance of the area
• If the proposal is inappropriate development, whether harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the proposal

What decided it

The totality of harm to the Green Belt (by reason of inappropriateness and loss of openness), combined with less than substantial harm to the setting of a designated heritage asset and adverse effects on character and appearance, is not clearly outweighed by the limited social and economic benefits of a single dwelling.

The substantial adverse weight afforded to harm to the Green Belt and significant weight to harm to character and appearance, together with great adverse weight to harm to the heritage asset setting, were not outweighed by the limited benefits of housing delivery and community vitality from a single dwelling, such that very special circumstances do not exist.