Victoria Fields , Clay Lane , Newchapel , Surrey, RH7 6HX

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the intended occupiers benefit from status as gypsy travellers
• The effect on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
• The effect on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the development

What decided it

The substantial harm to the Green Belt combined with significant harm to the character and appearance of the area was not clearly outweighed by the identified need, lack of alternative sites, personal circumstances or the best interests of the child, so very special circumstances were not made out.

The considerable weight attached to the Green Belt harm (substantial) and harm to character and appearance (significant) was not clearly outweighed by the significant weight given to the need for and undersupply of pitches and the failure of policy, together with the personal circumstances of the appellant and the best interests of the child, so the balance fell against the proposal.