New guidance on traveller sites

NEW guidance for councils when dealing with planning applications for traveller or travelling showperson’s sites has been welcomed by Warrington South MP David Mowat.
While councils will still be required to provide enough suitable sites to meet the needs of travellers and travelling showpeople, there will be tougher restrictions on the use of Green Belt land to meet targets.
The guidance makes clear the sites – whether permanent or temporary – constitute inappropriate development unless there are “very special circumstances.”
Councils will have a duty to ensure that local development plans include proper provision for craveller sites.
Mr Mowat and Cllr Paul Kennedy recently helped local residents fight a planning battle against a proposed travelling showperson’s site in Stretton.
Planning officers recommended that “very special circumstances” existed which meant that the application should be approved, but this was thrown out by councillors.
Mr Mowat said: “Travellers and travelling showpeople have a right to expect that councils should make reasonable provision to allow them to live their chosen lifestyle, but the same rules should apply to them as apply to everyone else and I’m pleased that the government has recognised that.”
Cllr Kennedy added: “Planning officers recently rejected an application for a small bungalow on a farm, even though it was to house a woman with brain disease needing specialist accommodation for herself and her carer. That shows how high the “very special circumstances” bar has been set and local people just want to know that the rules apply equally to everyone.”
Pictured: Mr Mowat (top) and Cllr Kennedy.