Land east of Plot 2, Moor Drove, Histon, Cambridge, CB24 9AN

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 purposes of including land within the Green Belt
• The effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• Whether the proposal complies with the requirements of Policy H/22 of the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2018
• Would the harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm, 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 unmet pitch need, absence of alternative sites, and the best interests of the children and family support amounted to very special circumstances clearly outweighing the Green Belt and other harm.

The significant harm to Green Belt openness and purposes, and minor harm to character and appearance, were clearly outweighed by the unmet need for pitches, the lack of alternative sites, the health needs, family mutual support and the best interests of the children, amounting to very special circumstances that justified the development.