Glimmer of hope travellers will have to move

A GLIMMER of hope exists that a controversial gypsy encampment on Green Belt land at Warrington will eventually be closed, a councillor believes.
Cllr Mike Biggin (pictured) says he is “cautiously optimistic” about a successful result in the long-running battle over the site in Cartridge Lane, Grappenhall.
A public inquiry into an appeal by traveller Tom Smith and his family held in June last year has resulted in stalemate.
Mr Smith had appealed against Warrington Borough Council’s decision to refuse permission to increase the size of the site to enable two mobile homes and 10 touring caravans to be sited there.
The inspector who held the inquiry recommended his appeal be allowed because of the lack of authorised traveller sites in Warrington.
But secretary of state for communities and local government Eric Pickles disagreed and only partially allowed the appeal.
He has granted planning permission on a personal basis to Mr Smith and two other named families to remain on the site for two years but refused permission for two other residential pitches and a transit pitch.
Cllr Biggin said: “I am cautiously optimistic that eventually the situation will reach a satisfactory conclusion.
“The two years should give time for the borough council to come up with sufficient authorised sites for travellers.
“I believe progress has been made in locating suitable sites and I would hope and expect that one of them will not be Cartridge Lane.”
More than 200 local people sent letters of objection to the inquiry and 600 signed a protest petition.
Cllr Biggin said: “Although we have no prejudice against the travellers or their lifestyle choice it is plainly unfair that they should be allowed to continually flout planning law.”