Travellers told wall has to go (From Gazette Series)

Travellers told wall has to go

TRAVELLERS who erected an "out of place" brick wall on a country lane in Almondsbury have again been instructed to pull it down - this time by a government inspector.

The owner of the Tall Trees travellers' site in Over Lane has lost his appeal against a council enforcement notice and has been ordered get rid of the controversial wall - more than ten feet high in places - and replace the hedgerow which was rooted up to build it.

The work was carried out without planning consent, angering residents and parish councillors who claimed the development made a mockery of Green Belt planning rules.

Rejecting the appeal against the enforcement order by site owner James Doran, planning inspector Anne Parkhill said the wall was "an alien urban feature intruding unacceptably into the landscape". She could find no special reasons why the development should outweigh the normal Green Belt rules.

"I conclude that the retention of the wall would harm unacceptably the visual amenity and character of the surrounding countryside area," she said, ordering the site owner to submit a replanting scheme within three months.

On the issue of human rights, raised during the appeal, Miss Parkhill said: "The enforcement proceedings inevitably affect the private and family life of the appellant in some way. But it is also necessary in a democratic society to protect the public interest."

She also rejected arguments that the wall was needed for security reasons and that it improved visibility and road safety.

Cllr Sheila Cook, South Gloucestershire councillor for Almondsbury and Parish Council chairman said the decision was a significant victory.

"This is very good news for Almondsbury and proof that we were right to take the stance we did," she said. "In an a way it was test case for South Gloucestershire and I am very pleased that inspector took heed of the arguments we put forward. That wall is totally inappropriate on a country lane in that location."

She said care would be taken to ensure that the re-instatement work was carried out.

Avon Travellers' Support Group co-ordinator Ron Stainer, who gave evidence in support of the applicant, said they were obviously disappointed.

"Quite frankly, I think it's the wrong decision because all a hedge will do is reduce visibility along that road," he said. "Are they saying that that making a place look pretty takes precedence over highway safety?

"We shall have to look at the details to see of there is any scope to take it further. It might be possible to make a challenge but I cannot say at the moment until the decision has been looked at legally."

Subject to conditions, the inspector allowed another part of the appeal relating to engineering works for pipe laying and ditch infilling on he site and the erection of utility block, fence and gates not forming part to the boundary with Over Lane.