Travellers' plan sparks fears of encampment - Hampshire

From the Salisbury Journal

TRAVELLERS who set up camp on land in Fordingbridge have applied for planning permission to use the site permanently, sparking fears it could eventually become a major encampment.

An application has been submitted to New Forest District Council to site two mobile homes, new access and entrance gates, amenity block, stable block and hard standing with parking at Marl Lane near Whitsbury.

But residents say they fear more families could arrive if permission is given for two.

Felix and Miles Connors, who own the land, have been living at the site with their families since May. They were within their ownership rights to stay for a month.

But the Connors say they are anxious for their children to attend local schools.

Robert Tutton Town Planning Consultants says the Hampshire Traveller Assessment 2013 highlights a need for more pitches, as the official places are all allocated.

He has told planners: “The enterprise and initiative shown by Felix and Miles Connors, in seeking to meet their own need for pitches at no cost to the public purse, should be welcomed and commended.”

He added: “Their father Michael Connors is a settled Traveller who now resides in Main Road, Southbourne, but there is no capacity for the brothers and their families at that site. The district council is now invited to recognise its responsibilities and commitment to a sector of its community that wishes to continue to follow a traditional nomadic lifestyle.”

Felix, 28, Miles, 20, their wives Elaine, 26, and Ann, 19, have four children between them aged one to nine and Mr Tutton says he believes both families “satisfy the definition set down in planning policy for Traveller sites”.

The 0.26-hectare site lies near the junction of Marl Lane with Puddleslosh Lane, and the families hope to block up the existing driveway to the site and open up a wider one nearby.

Their plan has attracted several letters of opposition.

Aaron Pain of Rookwood Gardens said: “Marl Lane is simply not suitable for a development of this kind. The land is merely grazing land.”

Barrie King of Dudley Avenue said: “The proposed number and size of buildings on greenfield land to accommodate two families appears excessive.”

Jennifer Pelling of Downwood Close said: “The site can clearly be seen by the surrounding houses and school and would ruin the appearance of the countryside.”

Michael Wilson of Allen Water Drive said: “The increased use of the bridleway by vehicles (at present four or five commercial vehicles and two or three cars, making a minimum of 16 movements a day) causes a considerable risk to walkers, cyclists, horse riders and school children.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, told the Journal: “We believe the land should be kept as agricultural green space and we are worried that if this application is approved then it will set a precedent for other people to apply for planning permission to build, which will ultimately result in the loss of green space.”

see also: The Daily Echo - Traveller families apply to put down roots on Hampshire farmland