Gypsies ordered to demolish a barn near Eaves Green Lane site - Birmingham

A TRAVELLER has been ordered by a government inspector to demolish a barn next to the Travellers’ site in Eaves Green Lane.

Noah Burton, who owns the building, lost an appeal against action taken by Solihull Borough Council last year. He has been ordered to demolish the barn and tear up the foundations within six months and was also refused costs.

The appeal was lost on the grounds that the barn had “permanently ceased to be used for the purposes of agriculture” within ten years of being built, and permission for other use had not been obtained.

Government inspector Steven Fox said there was “nothing to indicate that an agricultural enterprise of any significance was being carried on.”

He said that Mr Burton had “made little more than a token gesture of placing bales, trailer, tractor and other items within the building and I am far from persuaded that this represents a use for the purposes of agriculture”.

The barn is located next to the Travellers’ site in Eaves Green Lane which is the subject of a furious battle between travellers and local residents.

Members of Meriden Residents Against Inappropriate Development (RAID) have kept a 24-hour vigil on the roadside on Eaves Green Lane since May 2010 to prevent the Gypsies from gaining a stronghold on the beauty spot.
The gypsies lost an appeal to stay on the green belt land in October. However, they are expected to remain there until at least March, when the council is set to go to the High Court to obtain an injunction to remove them.

The RAID camp also does not have planning permission, and Solihull Council has set a deadline of January 16 for members to submit in writing a plan of voluntary withdrawal from the camp.

RAID Chairman David McGrath said: “We produced compelling evidence to show that the barn has not been used for authorised purposes. The decision is correct and the building must be removed. This is a stern warning to anyone who seeks to force residential and commercial use in the greenbelt using unethical and illegal tactics.”

A representative for Mr Burton could not be immediately reached for comment.