Site inspection for potential gypsy site (From Gazette Series)

Site inspection for potential gypsy site

8:30am Monday 5th January 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

PLANNERS who will decide if a gypsy encampment can be built on a country lane between Wickwar and Rangeworthy are expected to visit the site later this month.

Councillors on South Gloucestershire Council’s development control (east) committee will travel to Homefield, in Hall End where plans for five caravan pitches have caused outrage among the community.

The sites inspections visit, expected on January 23, is ahead of February’s planning meeting when the controversial proposals will be decided.

Jan Averis, a member of the Hall End Action Group which was formed to fight the plans, said the community had united to ensure the travellers’ site is refused.

She said: "At a public meeting in December, we had 161 people turn up.

"Our campaign has been really well supported and we have managed to raise nearly £3,000 to pay for a planning consultant to work on our behalf."

More than 200 people have objected to the planning application, which was made by Colin Morgan and his wife in November last year.

In December, Mr Morgan died suddenly at home. However, his family has decided to press ahead with the plans for five caravan pitches which could total up to 25 caravans.

Mr and Mrs Morgan submitted the plans after being forced to remove their own mobile home from the site following a High Court injunction in July 2008.

The family is banned from living on the land but hopes to station caravans on the site for other people.

The site is next door to a retired couple, who were horrified on seeing the plans. The couple, who asked not to be named, said they had moved to the area for some "peace and quiet".

"We cannot imagine what it would be like, it would be just awful," they said.

"Who is going to have control of who lives there?"

People living nearby have protested at the travellers’ site amid fears it would cause traffic chaos on a narrow, country lane used by walkers and horseriders.

Resident Chris Jones said: "The single track lane is not capable of supporting extra traffic especially commercial vehicles and trailers and caravans.

"This lane can be very busy at prime times due to it being used as a rat run for commuter traffic from Wickwar to Rangeworthy and I am concerned about road safety to local residents.

"There have been several accidents at the proposed location because the road rises to a peak at this junction."

Ward councillor Howard Gawler (Lib Dem, Ladden Brook) said: "It is totally unsuitable.

"It would generate a lot of traffic and this is down a small lane that is already collapsing."