Caretakers Flat, Castle Court School Knoll Lane, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, BH21 3RF

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the landscape with particular reference to the Corfe Mullen Area of Great Landscape Value
• Whether the proposed dwellings would be in an accessible location having regard to the strategy in the development plan for the distribution of new development
• 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 the openness of the Green Belt and the significant harm to the character and appearance of the Area of Great Landscape Value, which together are not clearly outweighed by other considerations, mean very special circumstances do not exist to justify inappropriate development.

The substantial weight given to harm to the Green Belt and its openness, combined with substantial weight to significant harm to the AGLV and moderate weight to poor accessibility and conflict with locational strategy, was not clearly outweighed by the combined weight of other considerations including the fallback position of the 2023 conversion permission, modest housing provision, and biodiversity benefits.