New Gypsy site plan to cost council £28k - Bedfordshire

Up to £28,000 of taxpayers’ money could be spent on submitting a new application for a Gypsy site just months after the council scrapped the idea.

Bedford Borough Council, in a report to its executive members, say that it will cost the authority £18,000 to apply for planning permission for a permanent Gypsy site at Meadow Lane, Bedford, and a further £5k to £10k for noise and odour assessments.

To make matters worse the authority admits that these costs for the Traveller site will be ‘abortive’ if permission is refused and even if it is granted the council says ‘there’s a risk it ‘will be unable to fund the implementation of the scheme or identify a delivery partner.’ In July the borough council had dumped plans for a permanent pitch at the site on the basis it was too noisy and smelly for caravan dwellers.

At the time both Mayor Dave Hodgson and Deputy Mayor Charles Royden blasted government red-tape for the breakdown of the scheme.

But last month Bedfordshire on Sunday revealed how a £6k independent report commissioned by the council found that noise was ‘not a sufficient’ enough reason to refuse planning permission.

It conflicted findings by the council’s own officers that said it would be ‘inappropriate to grant permission’ based on noise and odour.

Cllr Charles Royden said: “It is vital to secure this addition to our expansion at Kempston Hardwick as quickly as possible and Mayor Dave Hodgson has campaigned with government concerning the ridiculous legislation which has delayed the process and created obstacles to achieving planning permission.

Provision at Meadow Lane is important to enable the council to influence the location of sites in line with its planning policies as well as support the continued action taken against unauthorised encampments across the borough, which has been more robust than ever before. It is also important to establish Meadow Lane in order to save taxpayers the considerable financial costs incurred from the protracted legal proceedings required to secure evictions and the further costs of clearing up waste and rubbish after these evictions have taken place.

It will be for the Executive to decide, having regard for the identified risks within the report, whether or not to adopt the recommendations. It is not possible to confirm the date by which permanent accommodation would be made available until necessary permissions and method of delivery have been established.”