Sadlers Park, London Road, Bowers Gifford, BASILDON, SS13 2HD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development amounts to inappropriate development within the Green Belt
• If so, the effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt
• The effect on the character and appearance of the area
• If the development does amount to inappropriate development within the Green Belt, whether the harm by way of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other material considerations such that very special circumstances exist to justify a grant of planning permission

What decided it

The finding that the site constituted grey belt land satisfying all four criteria of paragraph 155 of the revised Framework, meaning the development was not inappropriate development in the Green Belt, combined with the demonstrable need for the dayroom and no harm to character and appearance.

In the absence of any conflict with the development plan and Green Belt policy, and having regard to the demonstrable need and other material considerations, the balance favoured granting permission; the Inspector also found that, even if the development had been inappropriate, the very significant weight attaching to the family's personal and medical circumstances would have clearly outweighed the harm so as to amount to very special circumstances.