Plot 10, New Acres, Land North West of Benskins Lane, Romford, RM4 1LB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The effect of the scheme on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it.
• The effect of the scheme on the character and appearance of the area.
• The effect of the scheme on biodiversity.
• Whether there has been intentional unauthorised development and, if so, what weight should be attached to it.
• Whether any harm to the Green Belt is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the scheme, including: need for and supply of Gypsy and Traveller sites; availability, suitability, affordability and acceptability of alternative accommodation; policy failure; personal circumstances of the occupants including the best interests of the children, and taking account of human rights and equality.

What decided it

The combination of unmet Gypsy and Traveller pitch need, the Council's conceded lack of five-year pitch supply, absence of alternative accommodation, and the personal circumstances/best interests of the children were found to clearly outweigh the Green Belt and other harm, constituting very special circumstances.

Substantial harm from inappropriate development in the Green Belt, moderate harm to openness/urban sprawl, limited harm to encroachment, character and appearance, and biodiversity, plus limited weight against intentional unauthorised development, was clearly outweighed by significant weight attached to unmet Gypsy/Traveller need, lack of alternative sites, absence of five-year supply, and substantial weight given to the personal circumstances and best interests of the children, amounting to very special circumstances justifying the grant of permission.