An inspector has allowed the use of a car park in green belt for corporate Christmas parties for the festive period each year.
The car park at Willows Activity Farm in Hertfordshire was requested for a marquee which could be used for Christmas parties between 18 November and 29 December each year for five years.
Since the year 2000 the appellant claimed that 13 temporary permissions had been granted. Benjamin Webb, inspector, considered the application for an indefinite annual use as he felt it illogical to grant the temporary permission more than once.
The inspector decided that there would be limited harm to the green belt and "most viewers would clearly interpret the development as temporary in character and nature". The location of the site also didn't worry Webb, who noted that most employers would probably provide some kind of transport to the events.
In the considerations, Webb also pointed out that Christmas parties would still be held if the use was refused, and most alternatives would cause more environmental harm.
The inspector allowed the appeal on the grounds that the scheme's environmental benefits outweighed its adverse effects.
