Land At Moor Drove , Histon , Cambridge , Cambridgeshire, CB24 9ET

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on the openness of the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• the general need for pitches in the area
• the personal needs of the Appellant and his extended family for accommodation
• the personal circumstances of the Appellant and his extended family
• 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 proposal

What decided it

The combination of the lack of a five-year supply of deliverable Traveller sites, the substantial unmet need, the absence of alternative accommodation and the personal circumstances of the family (especially the best interests of the nine children) clearly outweighed the identified Green Belt and character harm, justifying a temporary rather than permanent permission.

The substantial Green Belt harm and significant character/appearance harm were outweighed, on a temporary basis only, by the great weight attached to unmet need, lack of alternatives and the family's personal circumstances including the best interests of the children.