Warley Street (east side) , Great warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3JZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The impact of the site on the character and appearance of the area and on the openness of the green belt
• Whether the Council can show an up to date 5 year supply of sites for gypsies and travellers, including the impact of the Lisa Smith judgement
• Whether there are any alternative sites available
• The unauthorised nature of the development
• If necessary, the personal circumstances of the occupants

What decided it

The cumulative substantial Green Belt, openness and countryside harm, compounded by intentional unauthorised development, was not clearly outweighed by the lack of a 5-year gypsy site supply, absence of alternative sites, or the occupiers' personal circumstances.

The substantial harms of inappropriate Green Belt development, loss of openness, harm to countryside character and intentional unauthorised development outweighed the lack of a 5-year supply of gypsy sites, absence of alternatives, and the occupiers' personal circumstances, so very special circumstances did not exist and the balance tipped against the appeal.