Emery Planning was appointed to progress an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate for a residential development to the edge of Winterley, Cheshire East for the erection of up to 55 dwellings. The site is located beyond the identified settlement boundary for Winterley and within the designated Open Countryside. It was acknowledged that the development was contrary to the development plan in respect of locational policies for new housing development. In terms of site-specific impacts, it was demonstrated through the appeal that there would be only limited landscape harm, and no material impact on agricultural production notwithstanding the grading of the site as best and most versatile agricultural land. Although it was common ground that the Council could demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply, the Inspector agreed that the benefits, including the delivery of open-market and affordable housing, would outweigh harm arising from the scheme and that planning permission was therefore justified. The appeal was therefore allowed.