| 1. | The site is within the area identified as Metropolitan Green Belt. Government Guidance as set out in the NPPF is that in order to achieve the purposes of the Metropolitan Green Belt it is essential to retain and protect the existing open character of the area so allocated and that the new buildings will only be permitted in certain circumstances. The proposed extensions to the original building would, when viewed cumulatively with additions to the site since 1996, result in a significant increase in the overall bulk and amount of development at the site and therefore cause harm to the openness of the Green Belt. No special circumstances have been submitted in this case. The development proposal is therefore contrary to the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework. |
