Land at Moorhouse Lane, Hallen, South Gloucestershire, BS10 7RT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would comply with local and national policies that seek to steer new development away from areas at the highest risk from flooding
• whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies, including the effect on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposal on the water environment and flood risk, with particular regard to drainage
• the effect of the proposal on protected species and biodiversity
• the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of the neighbouring dwelling, with particular regard to outlook
• whether the proposal would result in an unacceptable risk of pollution, with particular regard to the location of pipeline infrastructure
• if the proposal is inappropriate development, 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 proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt causing substantial harm to openness, and the modest benefits do not clearly outweigh this harm to constitute very special circumstances.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and erosion of openness was not clearly outweighed by other considerations including energy efficiency benefits and modest housing supply contribution, which carried at most moderate weight.