Chester Gypsy camp expansion blocked

COUNCIL bosses have rejected an application involving the expansion of a Gypsy and traveller site in Chester.

The scheme had involved an application to allow more caravans on the site in Whitgates Stables, Plemstall Lane, Mickle Trafford, and to create a larger utility block.

However, Chester Villages councillor Margaret Parker had requested the issue to be debated at a Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) planning committee meeting on the grounds the development was inappropriate in the green belt.

Principal planning officer Steve Lewis told the meeting the application was in fact asking for 10 additional caravans, not five as suggested in a report.

He added: “There was no objection to the principle to retain the use of the site for a limited period. Temporary permission is considered acceptable.

“But the other aspect is the utility block. The application is for a larger utility block, in fact three times larger than the one currently on site. This amounts to inappropriate development in the green belt. The benefits were not sufficient to outweigh the harm caused by it.”

Cllr Stuart Parker said: “The utility block would probably do for 100 caravans. I support refusal. If travellers want to come and live in our area they have to abide by our rules.”

A total of 87 letters of objection had been received and Mickle Trafford Parish Council had also agreed the proposal would be “totally inappropriate”.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England objected because government documents state “applications from Travellers for development in the green belt should be dealt with in exactly the same way as applications for residential development”.

Temporary planning permission was granted in 2007 for five caravans to set up on site for a period of 12 months.

This was renewed in 2008 for a fruther period of three years, expiring in October, 2008. Permission was refused by the council in 2009 for the extension of the site for a further five caravans but was allowed on appeal until October 2011.