Thornham Products, Thornham Lane, Southbourne, Emsworth, West Sussex, PO10 8DD

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the development is located in the countryside or in an unsustainable location
• The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area, in particular the Chichester Harbour National Landscape and the adjacent public right of way
• Whether the development is at risk of flooding
• The effect of the development on the Chichester and Langstone Harbours Special Protection Area
• Whether the appellant meets the policy definition of gypsies and travellers
• Whether there is a need for and supply of gypsy and traveller pitches in the area
• Personal circumstances
• Best interests of the children and Human Rights
• Whether the development was intentional unauthorised development
• Planning Policy including the Development Plan and the 2026 NPPF
• Any other considerations

What decided it

A temporary ten-year permission was found to sufficiently reduce the flood risk conflict so that the benefits of meeting the unmet need for gypsy and traveller pitches and the occupants' personal circumstances substantially outweighed the adverse effects when assessed against the Framework's national decision-making policies.

the benefits of granting temporary permission would substantially outweigh the adverse affects, when assessed against the national decision-making policies of the Framework