Glanmire Farm, Rushett Lane, Malden Rushett, Chessington, KT18 7TR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development 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 proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt
• Compliance with the biodiversity net gain requirements
• The effect of the proposed development on archaeological assets
• If the proposed development 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 required to justify the proposed development

What decided it

The substantial and demonstrable harm to Green Belt openness caused by the introduction of four new dwellings extending built form across the site, combined with the site's unsustainable location with minimal public transport access, could not be clearly outweighed by the benefits of housing supply and delivery.

The lack of housing supply was given considerable weight but did not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt and its openness, which attracts substantial weight under the Framework; the Green Belt harm provided a strong reason for refusal under paragraph 11(d) of the Framework, displacing the presumption in favour of sustainable development.