Land to the north of Farfield Green Lane, Shipley Bridge, HORLEY, RH6 9TJ

‘Change of use of land to create 3no plots for residential use by gypsy/traveller family including 3no permanent site mobile homes, 3no tourers, cesspit, hardstanding, fencing, new access and conversion of existing building to dayroom/stables (Part Retrospective)’. Appeal

Authority: Tandridge District Council
Appeal type: enforcement · Enforcement Notice
Procedure: Hearing
Development: caravan-gypsy · Minor general industry/storage/warehousing
Inspector: King T

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the need for, and provision of, gypsy and traveller sites within the Tandridge District Council area
whether the occupants can be considered as gypsies and travellers, by way of the December 2024 PPTS definition
whether the site can be considered as 'Grey Belt' within the Green Belt and, if not, the effect of the development on the openness of the Green Belt
the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, along with biodiversity
the effect of the development on local flood risk

What decided it

The absence of very special circumstances to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt, combined with harm to character, biodiversity and flood risk, meant the adverse effects of granting planning permission significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits.

the adverse effects of granting planning permission, including Green Belt harm, harm to character and appearance, biodiversity and flood risk, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits, including the unmet need for gypsy and traveller pitches

Framework references: 153, 154, 155, 143, 170

Plan policies cited: CSP 9, CSP 17, DP7, DP10, DP19, DP21

Judgments cited: Simmons v SSE and Rochdale [1981]; Dartford BC v SSCLG [2017] EWCA Civ 141; John Turner v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government; Samuel Smith Old Brewery and others v North Yorkshire CC

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.