White Rose, Curtis Mill Lane, Navestock, Romford, RM4 1HS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect on the surrounding rural character
• policy and local need for gypsy and traveller accommodation
• whether the site is in a suitable location for such development
• the effect of the development on the integrity of the SAC
• whether the harm, by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations which would amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the proposal

What decided it

The absence of a secured financial contribution (via s.106 Unilateral Undertaking) to mitigate the development's impact on the integrity of the Epping Forest SAC weighed strongly against the proposal and prevented very special circumstances being demonstrated.

substantial harm to the Green Belt and limited harm to character were weighed against significant weight given to traveller pitch need, lack of alternative sites and personal circumstances, but the case tipped against the appellants once the unmitigated harm to the SAC was factored in, as this weighed strongly against the development