43A Barkers Lane, Wythall, Birmingham, Worcestershire, B47 6BY

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 and any relevant development plan policies
• the effect on the openness of the Green Belt and whether the proposal would conflict with the purposes of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the proposal on flooding
• whether the appeal site is an acceptable location with regard to local and national policy and accessibility
• the effect of the proposal on highway safety
• whether the proposal makes acceptable provision for infrastructure
• whether the proposal provides acceptable provision of affordable housing
• if the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt, whether the 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 development

What decided it

The significant harms to character and appearance, unsustainable location, unresolved drainage concerns, and failure to provide affordable housing and infrastructure contributions substantially and demonstrably outweighed the benefits of housing delivery in the context of a shortfall in five-year supply.

The substantial weight given to housing delivery and use of previously developed land was substantially and demonstrably outweighed by the significant harms to character and appearance, conflict with spatial strategy, unsustainable location, unresolved drainage risk, and inadequate affordable housing and infrastructure provision.