Land at Randalls Farm, Whitesmith, Chiddingly, East Sussex, BN8 6JB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the Council has a five year land supply for gypsy and traveller purposes, current need, and the availability of alternative accommodation
• the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
• whether the location of the development is acceptable having regard to the Council's spatial policy
• the effect of the development, with the use of the existing access, on highway safety, and whether the proposed new access would be satisfactory in this respect
• the proposal's effects on surface water drainage

What decided it

The unmet need for gypsy and traveller provision, combined with the ability to secure a satisfactory new access and mitigate other harms through conditions, was decisive in allowing Appeal B, while the unresolved substandard existing access was decisive in dismissing Appeal A.

The significant/substantial weight given to the unmet need for gypsy and traveller pitches, together with the prospect of mitigating harm to character, drainage and highway safety through conditions (including a new access and Site Development Scheme), outweighed the identified conflicts with spatial and drainage policy, leading to permission being granted in Appeal B, whereas in Appeal A the unresolved harm from the existing access meant the enforcement notice was upheld.