Barn North of Wonham Lane, Wonham Lane, Betchworth, Surrey, RH3 7AD

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 2024 and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether the site would be a suitable location for housing with particular regard to accessibility
• The effect of the proposed development on biodiversity
• The quality of the living conditions for future occupiers with particular regard to bin storage
• 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 harm to the Green Belt through loss of openness and inappropriateness of development, combined with harm to character and appearance, accessibility, biodiversity and living conditions, was not clearly outweighed by the modest benefit of providing a single dwelling.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt and other identified harms were not clearly outweighed by the modest benefits of housing provision, so very special circumstances did not exist to justify the development.