Gypsy caravan site wins planning approval – despite 50 objections

PLANNING chiefs have given the go-ahead for a residential caravan site for five gypsy families at Stretton – despite fierce opposition.
Nearly 50 residents, plus Appleton Parish Council, Stretton Parish Council and Whitley Parish Council lodged objections to the scheme.
The scheme related to land bounded by Fir Tree Close and the M56.
The borough council’s development management committee was told there was already an unauthorised gypsy site there and the proposal was for a mixed-use for caravans and the stabling of horses. There were two existing barns on the site and a considerable area of hardstanding.
Objectors claimed the site was within a few hundred yards of an existing travelling show people’s site and that there were two other gypsy sites within a radius of two and-a-half miles, providing more than 50 pitches.
Another site within such a small area would worsen an already unbalanced distribution of gypsy sites and undermine the stability of local rural areas.
They claimed the applicants had previously shown a complete disregard of planning policy by establishing another unauthorised site in nearby Daresbury.
Although the application was for five families only, the site extended to some seven acres and the burden of enforcement activity required to prevent expansion of the development would stretch the resources of the borough council to the limit.
“If left unchecked, the expansion of this site would quickly overwhelm the established local community.”
Cllr Brian Axcell said the setting up of the illegal encampment at Fir Tree Close had been “very well planned” , with purchase of the land followed by putting down hard standing, obtaining an electricity supply and moving caravans onto the site.
Cclr Judith Wheeler said the site was accessed via a cul-de-sac of only seven houses who had suffered from inconsiderate parking for several years.
Planning officers said the scheme represented inappropriate development in the Green Belt but there was an accepted need for gypsy and traveller accommodation which the borough council hds not been able to meet to date.
The site was reasonably contained, was largely previously developed, and would not significant affect nearby the residents.
If the scheme was not approved, the applicants would be forced to live on the road side.