1 Melita Nursery Chalk Lane, Sidlesham, Chichester, PO20 7LW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the site provides a suitable location for a Gypsy traveller site having regard to its location in relation to services and facilities and the perception of dominance of the local area
• whether other material considerations, including the general need for and supply of gypsy sites, the accommodation needs and personal circumstances of the appellants outweigh any harm such as to justify the development
• the effect of the proposal on the character of the area with particular regard to tranquillity (Appeal A)
• whether the proposal makes appropriate provision for drainage and minimises the risk of flooding (Appeal A)
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area (Appeal B)
• the effect of the proposal on biodiversity (Appeal B)

What decided it

The Inspector's finding that both proposals complied with the relevant development plan policies (LP Policy 36 and others) and caused no significant harm, reinforced by the significant unmet need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the District.

the significant unmet need for and lack of a 5-year supply of Gypsy and Traveller pitches carried great weight in favour of both proposals, only slightly offset by limited weight against the intentional unauthorised (part-retrospective) development, and as both schemes were found to comply with the development plan as a whole, permission was granted for each.