Object

Preferred Options for Sites

Representation ID: 63968

Received: 08/04/2014

Respondent: Mrs Betty Jackson

Representation Summary:

Green belt and no special circumstances proven. Unmet demand unlikely to outweigh harm.
Planning permission refused at appeal for single caravan and injunction taken out to prevent unlawful occupation.
Village not identified as sustainable location for residential development
Access dangerous.
Visual impact detrimental.
Public footpath to allotments crosses westerly boundary.
33000volt electricity line crosses site
Noise/pollution from traffic on two boundaries.
Possible flooding on ground adj. Hampton Road
Sewage system/connection to mains sewer not considered.
Covenant requires land remains for agricultural/equestrian use

Full text:

The Governments Planning Policy states that G& T sites are inappropriate development in the GREEN BELT unless very special circumstances can be proven.
This is reinforced by Brandon Lewis Local Government Minister in July 2013 in a written statement which says: "Having considered recent planning decisions by Councils and Planning Inspectorate, it has become apparent that, in some cases the Green Belt is not always being given the sufficient protection that was the explicit policy intent of ministers.

The Secretary of State also makes clear in January 2014 that he considers unmet demand whether for traveller sites or conventional housing is unlikely to outweigh harm to the green belt.

The Governments policy is clear that there must be wholly exceptional circumstances to justify identifying traveller sites within the Green Belt.
Applying this to site GTalt03 the question is what very special circumstances could possibly justify this prominent site for 15 pitches.

The site was refused planning W09/0157 at APPEAL for a single caravan for a gypsy family in November 2009. The District Council took out an injunction to prevent any unlawful occupancy of the land.

It is therefore untenable that the same Council is currently promoting the site for a 15 pitch development on a 1.6 hectare open aspect GREEN BELT field.

In addition Hampton on the Hill is not identified as a sustainable location for any new residential development, therefore if the village is not a location for new housing then it should NOT be considered a sustainable location for a traveller site.

Access onto and off the Henley Road (not Hampton Road) would prove extremely dangerous particularly with trailer vehicles.
The Inspector ruled that access was a reason for refusal of application W09/157.

The visual impact of a traveller site on this elevated position on a main road into the county town of Warwick would be detrimental to the area and impossible to disguise.

A public footpath crosses the westerly boundary of the site leading to Hampton on the Hill allotments A 15 pitch traveller site so close would be very intrusive and detrimental to the amenity of allotment holders.

The site is crossed by a 33000 Volt electricity line which requires access for maintenance and would pose a serious Health and Safety issue. A very significant constraint to any development of the site.

Other constraints on the development of this site relate to noise/pollution from traffic on two boundaries and the possibility of flooding on the ground adjacent to Hampton Road.

No consideration has been mentioned with regard to a satisfactory sewage system or whether a connection could be made to the main sewer.

In addition I understand that a covenant exists relating to a requirement that the land should always remain for agricultural/equestrian use.

I cannot see any reasons why this site is being considered, NO very special circumstances have been proved therefore the site should be removed from further consultations and be re-classified as a RED site.