Planning inspector hears appeal for private Gypsy site in Sadberge - County Durham

From the Northern Echo

A PLANNING inspector has heard views from opposing sides during an appeal hearing for a private Gypsy site on the edge of a village.

Patrick Connors, an Irish Traveller, had applied for a change of use for a site on the outskirts of Sadberge, near Darlington, close the A66, to a residential site for himself and his family.

The application was turned down by Darlington Borough Council earlier this year on the grounds that the site is not sustainable for a young family, as Sadberge has no access to schools, doctors, shops or bus services.

Mr Connors appealed the decision on the grounds that there are no other sites available to him and his family in Darlington and that his children, aged five, three and two, need a settled home to be able to attend school.

The council has admitted that there is “significant” unmet demand for Gypsy sites around the borough but argued that the lack of facilities in the village means the site does not meet planning policy for Gypsy sites.

Adrian Hobbs, planning officer for the council, told the hearing: “It’s almost black and white in terms of the criteria for unsustainability. We are of the opinion that Sadberge does not have the facilities so contravenes the policy on Gypsy settlements.”

Phillip Brown, representing Mr Connors, pointed out that new houses had been granted permission within Sadberge in recent years, after it had lost a number of services, and that if the village is considered sustainable for conventional houses, it should also be suitable for aGGypsy site on the edge of the village.

He added: “The policy talks about appropriate access – it does not mean all these services have to be on your doorstep. To distinguish between conventional housing and Gypsy housing prejudices the provision of Gypsy housing and treats them differently and that cannot be acceptable.”

Other issues raised at the hearing were the potential damage to visual amenity the site could cause to Sadberge residents, the dangers of allowing development outside the envelope of the village and concerns about speeding on Middleton Lane, where the site is situated.

Planning inspector Richard Perrins also carried out a visit to the site, accompanied by the appellant and the council officials.

He will make his decision on the appeal in the coming weeks.