Land at Homefield Nursery, Meadgate Road, Nazeing, EN9 2PB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development is inappropriate development for the purposes of the Framework and development plan policy
• The effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, having regard to its location within the Lee Valley Regional Park (LVRP)
• The suitability of the site for a gypsy and traveller site and its effect on the EFSAC
• If the development is inappropriate, 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 substantial harm from inappropriate Green Belt development and the undemonstrated integrity of the EFSAC were not clearly outweighed by the appellants' personal circumstances and unmet need, so very special circumstances were not established.

the substantial Green Belt harm, significant loss of openness, harm to landscape character, conflict with the development plan as a whole, undemonstrated EFSAC integrity, unmet pitch need factors and intentional unauthorised development were weighed against the substantial weight given to the appellants' compelling personal circumstances and lack of alternative accommodation, and the Inspector concluded the harm was not clearly outweighed, so the appeals failed