Primrose Nursery , FairField Road , Bournheath, Worcestershire , B61 9JJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would be in a suitable location for housing, having regard to the local development strategy for the area and proximity to services and reliance on private motor vehicles
• Whether there is appropriate infrastructure to support access to services and facilities
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• 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
• If the proposed development constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt, 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 site is not in a sustainable location as future residents would be unduly reliant on private vehicles due to poor public transport access and lack of pedestrian infrastructure, and the proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would substantially diminish openness, with harms not clearly outweighed by other considerations.

The harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and reduction in openness, combined with harm to character and appearance and highway safety concerns, was not clearly outweighed by the benefits of housing delivery, socio-economic benefits during construction, and use of previously developed land.