Old Oak Farm, Pool Lane, Waltham St. Lawrence, Reading, RG10 0GQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the effect of the proposal on flood risk
• whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt
• the effect of the proposal on biodiversity
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• whether or not the proposal would incorporate adequate measures to adapt to and mitigate climate change

What decided it

The significant unmet need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, the lack of a five-year supply of deliverable sites, the absence of alternative pitches and the appellant's personal circumstances outweighed the identified harms.

The significant weight given to unmet Traveller pitch need, the lack of a five-year supply, absence of alternative sites and the appellant's personal circumstances outweighed the modest harm to character and appearance, the lack of an ecological assessment and resulting conflict with the development plan, and the limited weight against the unauthorised development.