21 Nags Head Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5NJ

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, including the effect on openness
• The effect of the proposal on the character of the area
• Whether it has been demonstrated that safe vehicular access can be achieved
• Whether it has been demonstrated that the appeal site is suitable for residential development
• Whether the appeal site is in a sustainable location having regard to the spatial strategy
• 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 is inappropriate development in the Green Belt that would cause substantial harm to openness and character, combined with unresolved concerns about access and site suitability, and these harms are not clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to constitute very special circumstances.

The substantial weight given to harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and loss of openness, together with moderate harm to character and unresolved access and suitability issues, was not clearly outweighed by moderate weight for housing provision and economic benefits and limited weight for addressing three-bedroom house shortage and site condition, so very special circumstances do not exist.