Plans return for Ewloe travellers site with 13ft fence - Flintshire

From the Leader

PLANS for a Traveller site which have been turned down twice have been resubmitted and now include a fence.

Protesters claim the 13ft fence, intended as a noise barrier, will be even more of an eyesore.

“It really would be a big blot on the landscape,” said one campaigner.

Ewloe Green Action group fought hard against the plans for a site next to Ewloe Barn Wood off Magazine Lane.

But just over a year after the five-caravan site was rejected in a public inquiry, the plans are back.

This time applicant Martin Rooney has included a four-metre fence designed to combat noise pollution.

But a spokeman for the action group said this had made things worse.

“In the view of the action group such a barrier will create an even greater intrusion to the open countryside designated as green barrier between the villages of Ewloe and Northop Hall and brings openness and visual impact into play,” she said.

“These issues and others of concern will be cited in objection letters submitted to Flintshire Council and trust that the latest application is also rejected.

“The stance of the Ewloe Green Action Group remains the same for this latest application, that this is inappropriate development in an area designated as green barrier.”

Ewloe councillors have stuck to their guns since they objected to the plans first submitted in 2010.

Cllr Alison Halford said: “The residents are concerned this is a large development in the open countryside. This could change the whole aspect of the rural part of my ward.”

A decision is expected by March 29. Green Planning Solutions LLP, agents for Mr Rooney, declined to comment.