Hambledon Lodge Vann Lane, Hambledon, GODALMING, GU8 4HW

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 relevant development plan policies, and if so, the effect of the proposal on openness and whether there are other considerations that amount to very special circumstances
• Whether the proposal would constitute a Self-Build dwelling as defined in the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 and would satisfy the requirements of the statutory framework for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
• The effect on the character and appearance of the area, particularly in regard to the effect on the Surrey Hills National Landscape (SHNL) and Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV)
• The effect on the character, significance and special qualities of the Hambledon Conservation Area (HCA) and the undesignated heritage asset of Hambledon Lodge
• The effect on tree T1 within the HCA

What decided it

The combination of the proposed double garage and the fallback triple garage would cause significant harm to the openness of the Green Belt without very special circumstances being demonstrated, and the failure to secure an enforceable self-build mechanism meant the statutory Biodiversity Net Gain requirement could not be met.