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Allowed24 September 20243343269

Land North-East of Essington Primary School , Hobnock Road, Essington , Staffordshire, WV11 2RF

Planning appeal 3343269 at Land North-East of Essington Primary School , Hobnock Road, Essington , Staffordshire, WV11 2RF (South Staffordshire District Council) was allowed on 24 September 2024 by Inspector Hockenhull H, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposal forms inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

the change of use of land to use as a residential caravan site for two Gypsy/Traveller families, each with two caravans including no more than one static caravan/mobile home, together with laying of additional hardstanding

Authority
South Staffordshire District Council
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Hearing
Development
caravan-gypsy · Change of use
Inspector
Hockenhull H
Postcode
WV11 2RF

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • whether the proposal forms inappropriate development in the Green Belt
  • the effect on openness and the purposes of including land in the Green Belt
  • the effect of the proposal on the integrity of the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
  • whether other material considerations, clearly outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and any other harm, such that very special circumstances exist

What decided it

The significant unmet need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, absence of a 5 year supply or alternative accommodation, and the personal circumstances of the family (including children's education and healthcare needs) clearly outweighed the Green Belt harm, establishing very special circumstances.

the substantial harm from inappropriateness and the identified openness/Green Belt purpose harm was clearly outweighed by the significant weight given to unmet Gypsy and Traveller need, lack of alternative sites, and personal circumstances, amounting to very special circumstances justifying the development

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy GB1Policy H6Policy EQ2Policy EQ4Policy EQ11Policy EQ12
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 143Paragraph 144Paragraph 153
Judgments
Turner v SSCLG and East Dorset Council

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

See how each was applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in South Staffordshire District Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2024

  1. Dismissed21 October 20266012641
    The Granary, Lyne Hill Lane, Penkridge, ST19 5NT
  2. Allowed25 September 20266010537
    Land to the Rear of 6-12 Long Lane, Newtown, Wolverhampton, WS6 6AU
  3. Dismissed23 September 20266008866
    The Paddocks, Bridgnorth Road, Stourton, DY7 6QZ
  4. Dismissed12 August 20266010048
    Hilton Colliery Farm Cottage, Red Lane, Essington, WV11 2RD
  5. Dismissed15 July 20266007394
    White Lodge, Old Stafford Road, Slade Heath, WV10 7PH

The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.