75, Rudyard Road, Biddulph Moor, ST8 7JW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the proposal would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
• The effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt.
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the host building and local area.
• The effect of the proposal on the living conditions of occupiers of No.77.
• Whether any harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposed developments.

What decided it

The substantial weight attributed to harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, combined with significant harm to character and appearance and living conditions, was not clearly outweighed by other considerations and therefore did not constitute the very special circumstances required to justify the development.

The harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, the limited loss of openness, the harm to character and appearance, and the harm to living conditions through increased overlooking were not clearly outweighed by other considerations, and therefore did not represent the very special circumstances required.