Land North of A6068, Padiham, BB12 8UE

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 (the Framework) and relevant development plan policies
• the effect of the proposal on purposes (a) and (c) that the Green Belt serves, as set out in paragraph 143 of the Framework
• the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposal on the rural landscape character and appearance of the site and its surroundings
• 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 identified Green Belt harm (inappropriateness, harm to Green Belt purposes and openness) combined with significant harm to rural landscape character was not clearly outweighed by the benefits advanced, so very special circumstances did not exist.

The substantial weight afforded to climate/energy benefits and moderate/limited weight to biodiversity net gain and economic benefits did not clearly outweigh the moderate Green Belt harms and significant harm to rural character, so the balance tipped against the proposal.