Land Adj To Orchard Cottage Drift Road , Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3ST

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, with particular reference to its effect on trees and hedgerows
• whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• 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 Green Belt harm from inappropriateness and considerable harm to character and appearance were not clearly outweighed by other considerations, so very special circumstances were not established.

The substantial harm to Green Belt openness and considerable harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area were not clearly outweighed by the moderate and limited weight afforded to self-build provision, housing land supply contribution, economic benefits and environmental mitigation, so very special circumstances did not exist and the balance tipped against the proposal.