Land to the North of Heathlands, Willingale Road, Ongar, Essex, CM4 0LW

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the appellant group fall within the PPTS definition of gypsies and travellers for planning purposes
• The effect of the use on the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within it
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether the site is in an acceptable location having regard to access to services
• The effect of the development on the living conditions of the neighbouring occupiers, having regard to noise
• The need for sites for gypsies and travellers, the provision of sites and the availability of alternative sites
• Personal circumstances, human rights and the best interests of children
• Whether the harm to the Green Belt and any other harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The cumulative weight of unmet accommodation need, absence of alternative sites, and the best interests of the 22 children on site clearly outweighed the Green Belt and other harm, amounting to very special circumstances.

Substantial Green Belt harm (inappropriateness plus moderate/significant openness and encroachment harm) and modest harm from intentional unauthorised development were clearly outweighed by modest weight for sustainable location, significant weight for general and personal need/lack of alternatives, and substantial weight for the best interests of the children, resulting in very special circumstances justifying permanent permission.