Land to the rear of 36 - 38 Sandy Lane, Lowton, WA3 1DR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether this is inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• the effect on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect on the living conditions of neighbouring residents
• the impact on highway safety
• if any harm would be caused by any of the above, whether other considerations exist that would clearly outweigh this harm and amount to very special circumstances

What decided it

The combination of unmet need for showpeople's storage provision, the appellants' personal circumstances, the best interests of their children, and the benefits of preventing an unrestricted B2 use next to housing was found to amount to very special circumstances clearly outweighing the identified Green Belt and other harm.

The harm from inappropriate development in the Green Belt (loss of openness and conflict with Green Belt purposes) and the harm to character and appearance were clearly outweighed by other considerations — unmet need for showpeople's provision, personal circumstances, the best interests of the children, and the benefits of preventing an unfettered B2 use — amounting to very special circumstances, tipping the balance in favour of allowing the appeal.