Saturday 14 April 2012

Woodham Ferrers: Gypsy festival will require planning permission - Essex

From the Chelmsford Weekly News

A LANDOWNER is set to lose the right to use his land for a controversial Christian festival.

Chelmsford Council’s planning committee discussed a petition to force Peter Richardson to apply for planning permission, if he wants to hold another religious festival on his land, in Main Road, Woodham Ferrers.

The petition came after last year’s Light and Life festival led to chaos, with hundreds of travellers descending on the small village.

More than 1,600 people signed an online petition.

Margaret Watson said: “I have lived in the town for 24 happy years, with more to come I hope, just like many others.

“We must ensure this behaviour is stopped now, or we will have problems that Basildon has.”

June Cave said: “No problem with genuine events but this was a totally disruptive event, masking under the heading of a Christian banner.”

Last year, the festival, organised by the Light and Life Gypsy and Traveller Church, attracted more than 600 touring caravans and associated vehicles, portable toilets, a marquee and containers.

Residents complained of the festival bringing gridlock to the village.

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