Land at A63 - A1 Junction, Selby Road, Monk Fryston, North Yorkshire, LS25 5JE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt for the purposes of the National Planning Policy Framework (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
• the effect of the development on highway safety
• whether the appeal site is in a sustainable location
• the question of the need for gypsy / traveller sites
• the question of intentional unauthorised development
• the personal circumstances of the site occupiers
• If the development is inappropriate, whether the harm to the Green Belt by way of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development

What decided it

The unresolved highway safety concerns over lawful and safe access, combined with the unappraised potential land contamination, meant the harm to the Green Belt and other harm was not clearly outweighed by the considerations in favour, so very special circumstances were not demonstrated.

the substantial harm from Green Belt inappropriateness, limited harm to openness, significant harm from unresolved highway safety issues and moderate harm from intentional unauthorised development were not clearly outweighed by the significant weight given to unmet pitch need, policy failure, the lack of a 5-year supply of deliverable sites, and the appellants' personal circumstances, so very special circumstances were not established and the appeals failed