The Plantation Springbottom Lane, Bletchingley, Redhill, RH1 4QZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect on the openness and purposes of including land in the Green Belt
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV)
• Whether the appeal site is situated within a sustainable location (Appeal A only)
• Whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations. If so, would this amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the development

What decided it

The substantial harm to Green Belt openness combined with significant harm to the AONB/AGLV countryside character outweighed the need, lack of alternative sites and personal circumstances relied upon, so very special circumstances did not exist.

the need for pitches, the lack of alternative sites and the best interests of the children were weighed against the substantial harm to the Green Belt and significant harm to the AONB, AGLV and countryside character, and the Inspector found the harms cumulatively of greater weight so that other considerations did not clearly outweigh the harm and very special circumstances were not established