THE controversial plan to expand a travellers’ camp on Green Belt land at Grappenhall has been thrown out by planning chiefs.
Councillors visited the site in Cartridge Lane, Grappenhall and then voted to accept the advice of their officers and refuse retrospective planning consent.
Traveller John Smith sought permission to change the use of part of the site to enable two mobile homes and 10 touring caravans to be sited there.
Utility blocks, a septic tank and additional hard standing are also included in the application.
Temporary permission to use the site was granted after an appeal in 2008, despite furious opposition from nearby residents and parish councils. But this consent expired in 2011, making the whole site unauthorised.
Planners said unlike the proposals put forward in 2008, the new application would represent a “major” development if it were for conventional housing.
Approval of the application would facilitate the evolution of the site into a significant base for the applicants, their various businesses, their vehicles and animals
More than 200 people wrote letters of objection and 600 signed a protest petition.
Local councillor Mike Biggin (pictured) said: “The applicant has demonstrated by his actions that he is unlikely to abide by the law or by the conditions set down by even the expired temporary permission. Although we have no prejudice against the travellers or their lifestyle choice it is plainly unfair, in the view of many, that they should be allowed to continually flout planning law”
A residents’ spokesman said: “We wish the travellers well in finding a more suitable settlement to match their needs but feel that this particular site is unsuitable. It is not only unlawful, but out of keeping with the local environment.”
The travellers have the right to appeal against the decision
