Store Garages 1 and 2 Station Road, Newchapel, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 4QS

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposed development on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposed development on the purposes of including the land within it
• the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
• would the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal

What decided it

The lack of any alternative accommodation for the appellant's gypsy/traveller family, combined with the best interests of the children, amounted to very special circumstances justifying a temporary (rather than permanent) planning permission.

The substantial harm from inappropriateness and limited openness loss, together with moderate harm to character and appearance, was not clearly outweighed on a permanent basis, but was outweighed for a temporary period by the considerable combined weight of unmet need, absence of a five-year supply of traveller sites, lack of alternative accommodation, and the children's best interests.