118 A Hempstead Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8AL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposed development amounts to inappropriate development in the Green Belt, having regard to the NPPF, August 2026, and any relevant development plan policies
• The effect on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the host dwelling and the surrounding area
• The effect on the living conditions of occupiers of 118 and 120 Hempstead Road with respect to privacy
• If the proposed development amounts to inappropriate development in the Green Belt, 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 necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The substantial harm to the Green Belt through inappropriateness and loss of openness, combined with significant harm to character, appearance and neighbouring privacy, was not clearly outweighed by the moderate weight given to the disabled occupier's need for accessible outside space, so very special circumstances do not exist.

The moderate weight given to the disabled occupier's need for accessible outside space did not clearly outweigh the substantial weight of Green Belt harm (inappropriateness and loss of openness) and the significant weight of harm to character, appearance and neighbouring privacy