Land adjacent St Johns Church, Church Road, Adwick upon Dearne, South Yorkshire, S64 0NE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal is inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• Whether the proposal would preserve a grade II* listed building, known as Church of St John, or its setting and any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses
• The effects of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• The effects of the proposed development on the living conditions of the occupiers of No 5 The Hedgerows with particular reference to outlook and shadowing effects
• The effects of the proposed development on protected species and biodiversity
• The effects of the proposed development on trees
• If it 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 harm to the significance of the grade II* listed Church of St John through loss of its open, semi-rural setting could not be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal.