CAMPAIGNERS battling to save the historic Raven Inn at Glazebury have made an official complaint about an unauthorised travellers camp breaching planning laws, after the landowner gave permission for it to stay.
The Save the Raven Inn campaign group has lodged an official complaint with Warrington Borough Council stating that
Under The Town & County Planning Act, land is not allowed to be used for more than 28 days, in any calendar year, for a purpose outside the permitted use.
As of February 28, the Raven car park has been used as a travellers site, with the owner’s permission, for 39 days. They say this is a clear breach of planning laws.
While the 28-day limit was extended to 56 days because of Covid, it reverted back to 28 days in January, this year.
Help Save the Raven Inn spokesperson peter Sturman said: “We need to keep track of the current situation.
“The last planning application was ruled invalid, by the council, on the 8th of September, last year. I am not aware of any re-engagement since then.
“We keep contact with the owners; for example we have informed them when windows were broken and when lead was taken from the roof.
“The offer to purchase the Raven has been reiterated recently.
“The Help Save the Raven steering group has been quite relaxed about the travellers on the car park. The decision of the owners to give ‘temporary’ permission is a matter for them.
“However we do feel we have to safeguard the integrity of the ‘permitted use’ of the Raven, which is as a public house.
“As we constantly say, we would love the owners to engage with us in respect of the sale of the Raven. The funds are available, it could be a swift transaction. Surely a win win?”
Warrington Borough Council says that while the travellers encampment is unauthorised, the landowner has allowed the encampment to stay.
Travellers given temporary permission and toilets to stay on former Raven Inn car park
