Outdowns, Effingham, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT24 5QR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• Whether any other harm to the Green Belt results from the development
• The effects of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• The effects of the proposal on highway safety
• The need for and supply of such sites
• The personal circumstances of the appellants including the effects on the children

What decided it

The combination of Green Belt harm and unresolved highway safety risk at the Outdowns/A246 junction meant the harm was not clearly outweighed by other considerations, so very special circumstances did not exist even for a temporary permission.

The substantial and significant harm to the Green Belt, together with highway safety harm and localised character harm, was not clearly outweighed by the personal circumstances of the appellants, the need for traveller sites, and human rights/equality considerations, so very special circumstances justifying permanent or temporary permission were not established.