Pitch 8, Land off Dragons Lane , Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 3QB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the proposal is in a suitable location in the countryside and occupants would have reasonable access to facilities and services, having regard to the development plan, the National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework), and the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS)
• the effect of the proposal on the high-pressure gas lines
• the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
• the need for, and provision of, sites for gypsies and travellers in the area
• any other material considerations in support, including alternatives and personal circumstances

What decided it

The unacceptable, unmitigable safety risk to occupiers from the site's location within the HSE Inner Zone of the high-pressure gas pipelines, balanced against each family's personal circumstances and the lack of a five-year supply of deliverable Traveller pitches, which tipped in favour of short temporary permissions for Appeals A, B and E but not for Appeal C.

In each case the very substantial weight given to the unacceptable safety risk from the gas pipelines and moderate harm to character and appearance was found to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of a permanent permission; but for Appeals A, B and E the personal circumstances of the families/children together with the lack of a five-year supply of deliverable Traveller pitches meant the harms did not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of a short temporary personal permission, whereas for Appeal C they did, resulting in refusal.