Eighty comments on Titchfield Common Gypsy site plan - Fareham

Almost 80 people have commented on a controversial application for a permanent one-caravan Gypsy site in Segensworth

The deadline for comments on the planning application for the site next to the Segensworth roundabout at the end of Segensworth Road, is tomorrow (Friday December 16).

The application, which has been made to Fareham Borough Council, is for one caravan and stables to permanently reside on land to the west of Segensworth Road.

Phil Rowe, the agent for the applicant Matthew James, said the proposal for the 0.94 hectare site was to change the use from agricultural land to accommodate a family of four and their two cars as permanent residents in a caravan.

He said: “We’re happy to work with the local community. There’s often consternation towards Gypsies but they’re entitled to make applications like anyone else in accordance with the planning policies.”

Last year an ice rink was located on the site, which was owned by Mr James, owner of Ice Pad UK.

Mr Rowe said there were no plans to have another ice rink this year, but they hoped to work with Fareham Borough Council in the future to find a suitable location for one.

Councillor Keith Evans, who represents Titchfield Common and is a member of the planning committee, said: “It is an application for change of use for that site so it can be used for permanent Gypsy accommodation.”

He said the land is currently designated as countryside land and that changing it was “an important decision and would not be taken lightly”.

He said the council had to allocate a set number of locations in the borough for permanent accommodation for Travellers and there are currently two located in Peel Common near Gosport and two at Titchfield Hill.

The application will be heard by the planning committee in the next few months.