Land Opposite The Field House, Netherwood Lane, Chadwick End. Solihull, West Midlands

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 (Framework) and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect of the proposal on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
• Whether the appeal site is an appropriate location for the proposed development regarding accessibility and reliance on private motor vehicles
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the proposal on highway safety
• If the development is inappropriate, 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 substantial weight attributable to the shortfall in housing land supply and the shortfall in self-build plots, secured by planning obligation, clearly outweighed the Green Belt and other harms, establishing very special circumstances.

The substantial weight given to the contribution towards housing land supply and self-build provision, together with lesser benefits, clearly outweighed the harm from inappropriateness, loss of openness/encroachment, lack of affordable housing, harm to character and appearance, and limited accessibility, amounting to very special circumstances justifying the development.