Land on the North side of Middle Lane, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1PX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether or not the developments would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt including their effect on openness and the purposes of the Green Belt
• the effect of the developments on the character and appearance of the area
• the effect of the developments on highway safety
• whether the site is sustainably located
• whether intentional unauthorised development has taken place
• the provision and need for Gypsy and Traveller sites
• the personal circumstances of the family
• if the developments are inappropriate, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify the developments

What decided it

The harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, together with the other identified harm, was not clearly outweighed by the personal circumstances, unmet need and lack of alternative sites so as to amount to very special circumstances.

Very substantial adverse weight attributed to Green Belt harm (inappropriateness, loss of openness and conflict with a Green Belt purpose), together with modest adverse weight for intentional unauthorised development and harm to character and appearance, was not clearly outweighed by the personal circumstances of the family, best interests of the children, unmet Gypsy and Traveller need and lack of an immediately available alternative site, so the appeals were dismissed.