Land North of Hillam Lane, Burton Salmon, Selby, North Yorkshire

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect on Green Belt openness and purposes
• the effect on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect on agricultural land
• the effect on biodiversity
• whether a safe and suitable access can be achieved, having particular regard to visibility
• whether the use would result in a sustainable pattern of development, with particular reference to accessibility to services
• whether the harm to the Green Belt and any other harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to constitute very special circumstances

What decided it

The considerable harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, loss of openness and conflict with a Green Belt purpose was not clearly outweighed by the other considerations, so very special circumstances were not demonstrated.

The considerable Green Belt harm, together with harm to character and appearance and the limited harm from loss of agricultural land, was not clearly outweighed by the other considerations (unmet need for traveller sites, lack of alternative sites, failure of policy, sustainability benefits, and personal circumstances including the best interests of the children), so very special circumstances were not established and the balance tipped against the appeal.