Gypsy appeal planned (From Gazette Series)

Gypsy appeal planned

12:45pm Saturday 9th February 2008 in Search By Tina Robins

A PUBLIC inquiry is to be held after North Wiltshire District Council refused to legalise a gypsy site at Minety.

The long-running issue will now be decided by a Government planning inspector.

They signalled their intention back in November when planning councillors refused permission and authorised enforcement action demanding they leave the site within 18 months.

Now agent Matthew Green has lodged an appeal on their behalf, warning: "Costs will be sought."

His clients had been confident they would win planning approval because the authority had failed to find them another site and new government guidance in circular 01/06 stated that traveller sites in the countryside were acceptable.

In his application he said: "The local planning authority (LPA)is misinterpreting the new circular. At the last appeal the Secretary of State gave 18 months to allow the LPA to produce another site, which they gave evidence they were about to do. The LPA failed to do this."

In November planning officers were adamant the site was still unacceptable because Minety did not have enough services to make it sustainable.

The saga began in 2003 when concrete pitches appeared in the field off Sambourne Lane. Permission was denied several times until, following a planning appeal, the gipsies were allowed to stay until last January to give time for alternative sites to be located.