Land At (Os 8402 7347), Summerfield Lane, Summerfield, Hartlebury, Worcestershire, DY11 7SA

outline planning permission for the development of up to 8 self-build residential dwellings. All matters reserved apart from access

Authority: Wychavon District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Bromley N

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 relevant development plan policies, including its effects on the openness of the Green Belt
the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
the effect of the proposal on biodiversity
whether or not the proposal would make adequate provision for affordable housing
whether or not the location would be suitable for housing having regard to accessibility to services and facilities
if the proposal would 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 proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt that fails to meet the exceptions in paragraphs 154 and 155 of the Framework, particularly because it does not meet the Golden Rules requirements for major development, and the identified harms to Green Belt openness, character and appearance, biodiversity, and affordable housing are not clearly outweighed by the benefits of housing supply.

the moderate weight given to housing supply benefits and other considerations did not clearly outweigh the substantial weight attributed to harm to Green Belt openness, character and appearance, biodiversity, and the failure to secure affordable housing, resulting in dismissal

Framework references: 11, 73, 110, 115, 143, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157

Plan policies cited: Policy SWDP 2, Policy SWDP 4, Policy SWDP 15, Policy SWDP 21, Policy SWDP 22, Policy SWDP 25

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.