Rose Meadow Farm, Prestwood, Stourbridge, South Staffordshire , DY7 5AJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt for the purposes of the National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework) and development plan policy
• The effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within the Green Belt
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
• The effect of the development on a veteran tree
• The effect of the development on highway safety
• The need for Gypsy and Traveller sites
• The personal circumstances of the appellant
• The question of intentional unauthorised development
• If the development is inappropriate, whether the harm to the Green Belt by way of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The substantial and immediate unmet need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, absence of a five-year supply, and significant weight given to the occupiers' personal circumstances were together found to clearly outweigh the Green Belt harm and great harm to the veteran tree, establishing very special circumstances.

The harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, limited openness harm, and great adverse harm to the veteran tree was clearly outweighed by the substantial unmet need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, lack of five-year site supply, likely future reliance on the Green Belt for pitch allocation, and significant weight given to personal circumstances, amounting to very special circumstances justifying the grant of permission.