Appeal over Oswestry Traveller site plan refusal - Shropshire

An appeal has been launched by a Gypsy family against a refusal of planning permission for a Travellers’ camp on a site that was formerly a dump near Oswestry.

Applicant Jerry Berry today claimed the refusal was wrong and vowed to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.

The Berry family had applied for permission to site four chalets and to create room for four touring caravans opposite Henlle Park Golf Club in Gobowen.

But Shropshire councillors at a north planning committee in Oswestry earlier this month turned down the application.

An officers’ report recommended refusal because the scheme would introduce new build into a rural environment and went beyond the identified need of the applicant.

Mr Berry said: “An appeal has gone in and we want an inspector to come and have a look and see what we are doing. It will cost somebody a lot of money. If we win the council will have to pay our costs. If we lose we pay the costs. But we are trying to create a home for our family. We don’t believe the reasons for refusal stand up. We are closer to residential development than the council’s own site at Park Hall. We are a local family trying to set up a home. We believe this site does fit policy and will take this to Europe if we have to.”

The council has lodged plans for a further 10 pitches at Park Hall Gypsy and Traveller camp.