Combe Farm, Alldens Lane, Godalming, GU8 4AP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, including the effect on its openness, having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
• the effect of the proposal on the tranquillity and character of the Surrey Hills National Landscape and the Area of Great Landscape Value
• the effects of the proposal on highway safety
• if the development is inappropriate in the Green Belt, whether 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 required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The absence of sufficient information regarding the scale, intensity and effects of the proposed use on the tranquillity and character of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, combined with unresolved highway safety concerns, meant the proposal conflicted with the development plan and the adverse impacts substantially outweighed its benefits under Framework policy S5.

applying Framework policy S5, the Inspector found that the adverse impacts of the proposal—substantial harm to the Surrey Hills National Landscape and failure to demonstrate acceptable highway safety—substantially outweighed the modest economic benefits to the local rural and tourism economy