Land North-East of Ardens Rise, House Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 9HE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect on the openness of the Green Belt
• The need for traveller sites locally and whether the Council can demonstrate a five year supply of new sites
• The availability of alternative sites
• The intended occupiers' personal circumstances including the best interests of any children
• Whether the harm due to inappropriateness, and any other harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to constitute very special circumstances

What decided it

The substantial unmet need for gypsy and traveller sites, the total absence of alternative sites, and the personal circumstances of the occupiers (including children's best interests) together clearly outweighed the Green Belt harm, establishing very special circumstances.

The harm from inappropriateness and moderate harm to the openness of the Green Belt, to which substantial weight was attached, was clearly outweighed by the unmet need for traveller sites, lack of alternative sites, and the personal circumstances of the intended occupiers including the best interests of children, so that very special circumstances justified permanent permission.