Twinkle Toes, Wilne Road, Sawley, Derbyshire, NG10 3AP

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development is inappropriate in the Green Belt, having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
• The effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt and its purposes.
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the Sawley Conservation Area and the wider rural landscape.
• Whether the development complies with local and national policies relating to flood risk.
• Whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations, including any need for the development and the personal circumstances of those living at the site, so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the development.

What decided it

The cumulative harm to the Green Belt, landscape character, the conservation area and flood risk policy was not clearly outweighed by the benefits and personal circumstances put forward, so very special circumstances were not established.

Substantial weight given to Green Belt harm, together with limited harm to character/appearance and the conservation area and clear conflict with flood risk policy, was not clearly outweighed by the significant weight attached to the pony party enterprise's benefits, the minor economic benefit, and the limited weight given to the housing benefit, so the appeal was dismissed.