Land at Field North and East of Crossing Cottage , East Of Railway Latteridge Road, Iron Acton, BS37 9TL

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, and if so, would this amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal, on either a permanent or temporary basis

What decided it

The substantial and unmet need for traveller pitches, the lack of any alternative site, and the personal circumstances of the occupiers (including the best interests of the children) clearly outweighed the Green Belt and other harm, including residual flood risk that could be mitigated by planning conditions.

The definitional harm of inappropriateness, loss of openness, encroachment on the countryside, harm to local character and conflict with flood risk policy, plus adverse weight for intentional unauthorised development, was clearly outweighed by substantial weight given to unmet traveller site need, absence of alternatives, and personal/human rights considerations, amounting to very special circumstances justifying permission.