Sunny Bank Farm, Stoney Lane, Alvechurch, Worcestershire, B48 7DG

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal is in a suitable location having regard to local and national policies and access to services and facilities
• 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 of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposal on the non-designated heritage asset
• 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 harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and reduction in openness, combined with unacceptable harm to the non-designated heritage asset, was not clearly outweighed by other considerations, and the Green Belt protection policies in the Framework provided a clear reason for refusal notwithstanding the lack of five-year housing supply.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt (inappropriateness and loss of openness) and significant harm to the non-designated heritage asset were not clearly outweighed by the limited benefits of housing supply contribution and the fallback position, such that very special circumstances did not exist.