Benton Green Lane Farm, Benton Green Lane, Berkswell, West Mids, CV7 7AY

two storey and single storey extension and alterations

Authority: Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Appeal type: householder · Householder (HAS)
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Householder developments
Inspector: Bromley N

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 of the Green Belt
the effect of the proposal on protected species, specifically bats
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 cumulative harm from inappropriate development, loss of Green Belt openness, and unresolved protected species concerns was not clearly outweighed by the modest benefits of additional residential space.

Framework references: 153, 154

Plan policies cited: Policy P17, Policy P10

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

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