Land at the Paddock, Compton, Guildford, GU3 1AD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the use of the land for a mixed use of residential and equestrian use is inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and any relevant development plan policies, including: Whether the appeal site is Previously Developed Land (PDL); Whether the appeal site is grey belt land with particular reference to whether the effect of the development on Surrey Hills National Landscape or the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area provide a strong reason for refusing or restricting the development
• The effect of the development on the openness and purposes of the Green Belt
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area
• Whether the development is suitably located having regard to relevant development plan policies concerning sustainable transport for new developments
• Whether the development provides sufficient grazing and exercise areas for the welfare of two horses
• Whether any 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 required to justify the development

What decided it

The cumulative Green Belt, National Landscape and animal welfare harms were not clearly outweighed by the personal circumstances, unmet gypsy and traveller need and lack of alternative sites, so very special circumstances were not established.

Substantial harm from inappropriate Green Belt development, loss of openness, harm to the Surrey Hills National Landscape and inadequate horse welfare provision, together with limited harm to character/appearance and sustainable transport, was not clearly outweighed by the significant weight attached to unmet gypsy and traveller need, the shortfall in site supply, moderate weight for lack of alternatives, and significant weight for personal circumstances/best interests of the children.