Land Between 10 And 32, Birmingham Road, Whitacre Heath, B46 2EN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site is suitable having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework which seeks to steer new development away from areas at the highest risk of flooding
• whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use, and the amount of development, with particular regard to its relationship to the existing settlement
• whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• 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 significant shortfall in the Council's five-year housing land supply meant that the identified conflicts with the development plan did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the housing proposed.

Considerable weight to conflict with the development plan as a whole and significant weight to conflict with flood risk policies LP29/LP33 were outweighed, together with only limited weight given to conflict with Policy LP3, by significant weight afforded to the provision of new housing and associated benefits given the housing land supply shortfall, tipping the balance in favour of allowing the appeal.