Green Orchard Kayte Lane, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3PD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the development on openness and on the purposes of Green Belt policy
• its effect on the character and appearance of the area
• whether intentional unauthorised development (IUD) has taken place
• the development's effect on biodiversity
• whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify it

What decided it

The significant unmet need for Gypsy/Traveller pitches combined with the compelling personal circumstances of the family, including the children's best interests, clearly outweighed the Green Belt and other harm to establish very special circumstances.

The Green Belt harm (inappropriateness, loss of openness, encroachment), harm to character and appearance, limited IUD harm and biodiversity detriment were clearly outweighed by the significant unmet need for pitches, the substantial benefit of the personal circumstances case, and the lack of alternative sites, amounting to very special circumstances justifying the grant of permission.