Land Adjacent to The Spinney, B2166 Lagness Road, Runcton, Chichester, West Sussex, P020 1LD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Ground (c): whether the matters alleged in the notice constitute a breach of planning control
• Ground (f): whether the requirements of the notice are excessive and whether lesser steps would overcome the objections
• Ground (g): whether the period for compliance with the notice falls short of what is reasonable

What decided it

The GPDO permitted development right for a caravan site linked to building operations does not extend to occupation by the wider extended family who were not themselves employed in the works, so a breach of planning control was established and the notice (as varied) was upheld.

The Inspector balanced the occupiers' rights and the children's best interests, and the prospect of an authorised use being secured, against the legitimate aim of enforcing planning control, concluding that a 12-month compliance period (rather than 3 months or 2 years) struck an appropriate balance.