Land at Eebs Stables , Trollingdown Hill, Green Street Green Road , Dartford, DA1 6NR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt and Green Belt purposes
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether the site is a suitable location for the development, having regard to accessibility to local facilities and services
• The general need for and supply of gypsy and traveller sites in the area
• The accommodation needs of the appellant and his family and their personal circumstances
• The weight to be given to other identified considerations
• Green Belt balance

What decided it

The prospect that the emerging Local Plan would provide additional traveller pitch allocations within 2-3 years meant the Green Belt harm would only be temporary, tipping the balance in favour of a temporary personal permission.

The Green Belt harm by reason of inappropriateness and the other harm identified were, because only temporary, clearly outweighed by the unmet need for traveller sites, the best interests of the children and the family's personal circumstances, amounting to very special circumstances justifying a temporary personal permission, though not a permanent one.