Land at Lawrences Lane, Thatcham, West Berkshire, RG18 3LF

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• whether or not it has been shown that any adverse impacts on ecology, biodiversity and the natural environment would be adequately mitigated or compensated
• would the proposed drainage strategy provide an effective means for the disposal of surface water from the site
• whether the proposal would facilitate safe and suitable access
• whether, or to what extent, the development complies with the development plan and national policy set out in Planning policy for traveller sites (PPTS) and the National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework)
• whether there are material considerations, including unmet need for sites, and/or the personal circumstances of intended occupants, which outweigh any conflicts with the development plan and national policy and any other identified harm resulting from the appeal proposal

What decided it

The cumulative substantial harm to landscape character, combined with significant unresolved ecological harm and significant negative weight attached to intentional unauthorised development, outweighed the significant weight given to the personal circumstances of the occupants and their Article 8 rights.

Substantial harm to character and appearance, significant harm to ecology/biodiversity, moderate harm to highway safety, moderate harm from poor site layout, and significant negative weight for intentional unauthorised development were found to outweigh moderate weight for general pitch need, significant weight for personal circumstances/Article 8 rights, and moderate to significant weight for the best interests of the children, with neither a permanent, temporary nor personal-condition permission able to overcome the harm.