FOURTEEN nearby residents have lodged objections to plans for a gypsy/traveller caravan site off Sandy Lane West, Orford Warrington.
The application, by William Smith, will come before the borough council’s development management committee on Thursday – with a recommendation from officers that it be approved.
It involves eight residential caravans in the grounds of Brook House – a large, dilapidated property. But it is not proposed that the house itself should be occupied.
The application has a long planning history.
In 2008 Warrington Borough Council refused permission for the development on the grounds a caravan park would be inconsistent in both form and function with the neighbouring buildings and the townscape of the wider locality.
But there was an appeal which was allowed the following year – the inspector who held the inquiry expressing the view that because of the rundown condition of Brook House and its grounds, a gypsy site offered an opportunity to improve the local environment.
The consent that went with the successful appeal has now expired – but the committee will be told it is still a material consideration.
Objectors claim the development would lead to increased traffic, highway and access dangers, noise, loss of privacy, drainage and sewage problems, smells and the possibility of the number of caravans being increased later.
But planning officers say the proposal is acceptable in principle and will meet a need for gypsy/traveller accommodation in Warrington.
They say the proposal would have no harmful impact on the amenities of nearby properties and the impact on the highway network would be acceptable.
The site viewed from the gates of Brook House
