Land off Oakdene Crescent, Hatton, Warwick, CV35 7BN

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether or not the proposal represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• Whether or not the number and concentration of affordable dwellings proposed at this location is acceptable
• The effect of the proposal upon the character and appearance of the area, having regard to the intended layout, scale, and density of development
• Whether or not the 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 necessary to justify it

What decided it

The proposal failed the Category 1(g) exception in Policy GB7 because the site was not in a sustainable location and necessary Golden Rules infrastructure improvements were not secured, meaning it was inappropriate Green Belt development whose substantial harm was not clearly outweighed by the benefits so as to amount to very special circumstances.

the scheme's benefits, while substantial in cumulative terms, would not clearly outweigh the substantial harm identified to the Green Belt (including loss of openness) and the limited harm to character and appearance, so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development