PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have thrown out a controversial application for a gypsy caravan site in the heart of a residential area.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee ruled that the proposed 10 mobile homes would damage the residential amenity of surrounding homes in Sandy Lane West, Orford.
More than 120 nearby residents had signed protest petitions and 76 people had written individual letters of objections.
Local councillors Mike and Kate Hannon, John Kerr-Brown, Brian Maher and Steve Roberts also lodged objections.
Officers recommended the scheme be approved – and warned of the possibility of an appeal in the event of the scheme being refused.
It is understood the applicant is Mr W. Smith – owner of the existing gypsy site at Walton but not related to Mr Tom Smith who last year won the right to set up a similar caravan site at Grappenhall.
The committee was told each mobile home would be occupied by a single gypsy family and there would be no commercial activity on the site.
There would be gardens for each home and parking for two vehicles. But touring caravans, used for travelling, would be stored off site. Existing workshops on the site would be demolished.
Objectors claimed the development would lead to noise, loss of privacy and loss out outlook. They feared the likely traffic impact, the loss of mature trees and the possibility of flooding, sewage problems, etc.
There were also fears of anti-social behaviour and health and safety.
Officers pointed out the site was well screened, in an urban area and within easy reach of shops, schools, medical facilities and public transport.
There was also a formally recognised need for gypsy and traveller accommodation in Warrington which the council had an obligation to meet.
It was estimated that there would be a need for 2-5 pitches for travellers in Warrington before 2011 and a further four by 2016.
Existing traveller sites in Warrington have received only temporary planning consent so did not reduce the need for permanent sites.
PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have thrown out a controversial
application for a gypsy caravan site in the heart of a residential area.
Planners reject gypsy caravan site
22 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
2 Comments
Travelers should travel, all the way back to Irleland the country of origen and buy a
site there , if the residents will let them …….
Dear Geoff,
I am a Romany Gypsy, born and bread but I couldn’t agree with you more! I have only come across One Irish family that I thought was really nice and any good! the other 99% are pure EVIL! they rape the land and have no respect for man nor beast!
English people seem to for get, that “true Romany Gypsy’s” have been in this Country since Henry the Vlll Day’s! and is a part of the English Heritage!
It’s a great shame!!! that we get tied to the same brush all the time! not a lot of English people know or have even met a true English Gypsy, because we try and keep our selves to our selves! I can only apologise to you if you have had a bad experience with One of them.
Normally I see coments that people leave on the internet, but thay have never actually met a Gypsy! just jump on the band wagon to what they hear or think they know!
Tracey Buckland