®Planning appeal decision
land off Heron Hill Lane, Meopham, GRAVESEND, KENT, DA13 0DT
Material change of use of land to Gypsy Traveller site with 3 pitches each with space for stationing of a static caravan, utility block with associated hard standing for parking, with shared septic tank and space for associated storage of touring caravans (part retrospective)
- Authority
- Gravesham Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Change of use
- Inspector
- Pannell G
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
- the character and appearance of the area
- 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 combined weight of the unmet need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, the appellant family's personal circumstances and human rights, and the best interests of the children clearly outweighed the substantial Green Belt harm, establishing very special circumstances.
the accommodation needs, personal circumstances and best interests of the children collectively outweighed the substantial weight attached to Green Belt harm and the modest weight against intentional unauthorised development, amounting to very special circumstances justifying the inappropriate development
Framework references: 143, 152, 153, 155
Plan policies cited: Policy CS02, Policy CS12, Policy CS19, Policy CS17
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.