Barrow Green Farm , Haxted Road , Lingfield , Surrey, RH7 6DE

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 and any relevant development plan policies
• the effect of the proposal on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area including its effect on the significance of Barrow Green Farm as a Non-Designated Heritage Asset
• 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 proposal fails to demonstrate a sustainable location under Framework paragraph 155(c) due to reliance on private vehicles and inadequate mitigation, combined with the loss of the Non-Designated Heritage Asset and harm to character and appearance, which together do not amount to very special circumstances.

The substantial harm to the Green Belt from inappropriate development and significant harm to the Non-Designated Heritage Asset and character and appearance were not clearly outweighed by the moderate benefits of housing delivery, biodiversity enhancement, renewable energy, and improved outdoor amenity space, particularly when compared to the less harmful fallback position.