Little Trees, Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Kent, TN14 7UB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development is inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• The effect of the development on the purposes of including land in the Green Belt
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area including the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
• The general need for and supply of gypsy and traveller sites in the area
• The accommodation needs of the appellant and their family and their personal circumstances
• The weight to be given to other identified considerations
• Green Belt balance

What decided it

The temporary nature of the harm to the Green Belt and AONB, combined with the family's personal circumstances, the best interests of the child, and the unmet need for gypsy and traveller sites, was sufficient to justify very special circumstances for a temporary five-year personal permission, even though it did not justify a permanent permission.

The substantial Green Belt harm and great weight AONB harm, together with limited weight given to intentional unauthorised development, did not clearly outweigh the significant weight given to unmet gypsy/traveller need, moderate weight to personal circumstances, significant weight to the best interests of the child, and limited weight to previously developed land so as to justify permanent permission, but for a temporary five-year period these considerations did clearly outweigh the harm.