301 Hempstead Road, Watford, WD17 3NL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the development plan and the National Planning Policy Framework, including the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• Whether the proposal would provide acceptable living conditions for future residents with specific regard to internal floorspace
• Whether the proposal would provide an acceptable level of parking having regard to promoting the use of sustainable transport modes
• Whether the proposed development would make adequate provision for biodiversity net gain
• 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 proposal

What decided it

The proposal failed to meet the Nationally Described Technical Space Standards for internal floorspace, would exceed maximum car parking provision contrary to local policy, and could not adequately secure biodiversity net gain as required by statute, with these conflicts with the development plan not outweighed by material considerations.