Long-running Staffordshire Gypsy site dispute to go before inquiry

From the Express and Star

The plans for Wolverhampton Road, Penkridge, will go before an inspector at a hearing in June.

The applicant William Lee wants to create six caravan pitches and two blocks on the site at New Acre Stables.

Mr Lee won permission to build a 20-caravan camp on land at Wolverhampton Road in the village in 2011. But members of Penkridge Parish Council voiced their concerns about the plan in a letter to the South Staffordshire District Council.

The bid was initially rejected after a High Court injunction had been served to prevent more caravans joining 10 that moved illegally on to the site a year earlier.

But the family appealed against the decision, triggering a three-day public inquiry.

The Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, intervened in the appeal because of the proposals size and location on the green belt land. But the Travellers finally won the day and permission was granted to temporarily site caravans there. Since then the plans have been scaled back and a new application was made for permission to permanently use the site for caravans.

The inquiry will take place on June 10 at South Staffordshire Council’s offices in Codsall. Members of the public will make representations on the plans before an inspector makes a ruling. Parish councillor Bevan Craddock said: “Decisions have been made at a local level but it could be taken out of our hands now. We are obviously concerned and we hope that whatever decision is made is the right one. We would encourage people to take part and raise their views.”

It comes after plans for a 15-pitch Gypsy caravan site in Essington were thrown out in January.