®Planning appeal decision
Site 120B004, Coventry Road, Bulkington, CV12 9LZ
Planning appeal 3277616 at Site 120B004, Coventry Road, Bulkington, CV12 9LZ (Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 1 March 2023 by Inspector Dyer S, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the change of use to a gypsy and traveller site is inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
change of use of land to use as a residential caravan site for 3 gypsy families, each with two caravans, including no more than one static caravan/mobile home, together with laying of hardstanding
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Change of use
- Inspector
- Dyer S
- Postcode
- CV12 9LZ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the change of use to a gypsy and traveller site is inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- The effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt
- The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area
- Whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The substantial Green Belt harm (from inappropriateness, loss of openness and harm to character/appearance) combined with intentional unauthorised development was not clearly outweighed by the other considerations relied on by the appellant.
The cumulative weight of the considerations in favour (significant weight to lack of alternative accommodation and personal circumstances, moderate weight to need for and supply of gypsy and traveller sites) did not clearly outweigh the substantial harm to the Green Belt combined with harm to character and appearance and intentional unauthorised development, so very special circumstances did not exist.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DS7Policy BE3Policy DS3Policy H3
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 148
- Judgments
- Lisa Smith v SSLUHC [2022] EWCA Civ 1391
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Nuneaton and Bedworth
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2023
- Notice upheld14 April 2026337572441 Lutterworth Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 4LE
- Dismissed9 October 20243339133358 (Orchard House) Nuneaton Road, Bulkington , Bedworth, Warwickshire, CV12 9RR
- Dismissed23 August 20243337035The Grove, School Lane, Exhall, Coventry, Warwickshire, CV7 9GF
- Allowed19 January 20233307083416 Nuneaton Road, Bulkington, Bedworth, Warwickshire, CV12 9SB
- Dismissed8 September 20223295955Ashwood Cottage Smorrall Lane, Corley, Coventry, CV7 8AT
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.