Long Acre Farm, Dodington Lane, Dodington, BS37 6SD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the appeal site is a suitable location for housing having regard to the accessibility of services and facilities
• 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
• whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations and if so, whether this would amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The substantial harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with poor accessibility to services and facilities, was not clearly outweighed by the modest benefits of the proposal, and the very special circumstances test was not satisfied.

The modest benefits of housing supply, economic benefits, and minor character improvements did not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt and the conflict with development plan policies on sustainable location and accessibility, and the Green Belt harm engaged the Framework's exception to the presumption in favour of sustainable development.