Land Rear of 50-56 Cudham Lane North, Sevennoaks, Cudham, TN14 7RA

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and development plan policies
• the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect on the living conditions of occupiers of No 50 Cudham Lane in terms of noise and disturbance
• whether adequate provision would be made in respect of biodiversity, nature conservation and protected species
• if the proposal is found to be inappropriate 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 Green Belt openness and the failure to meet the Golden Rules for major development on grey belt land, combined with inadequate biodiversity provision, are not clearly outweighed by the moderate benefits of housing delivery and site restoration.

The substantial harm to Green Belt openness, inappropriate development status, small harm from disconnected layout, and inadequate biodiversity provision were not clearly outweighed by the moderate benefits of housing supply, economic benefits and site restoration, so very special circumstances do not exist.