Farmland battle for Moston gipsy family is over - Cheshire

A GYPSY family have been denied permission to live on land that they already occupy.

Cheshire East Council’s southern planning committee members went against their officers’ recommendation when they unanimously refused Dennis Sheridan’s retrospective application.

The plans were to change the use of the agricultural land at Thimswarra Farm in Dragons Lane, Moston, to a residential caravan site including a mobile home, touring caravan and stable block.

Councillors refused the proposal on the grounds of sustainability and design. One concern was also raised that it was just for one family and not a community.

The site is already subject to an outstanding enforcement notice after similar plans were refused on March 17, 2011, and an appeal was dismissed on June 14, 2011.

At the time the plans said the site was for an ‘English traveller who has ceased to travel due to ill health and long standing disability’.

More than 20 people wrote letters objecting to the plans including Fiona Bruce MP.

Moston and Warmingham parish councils were also against the plans pointing out that the area already has the highest concentration of pitches in east Cheshire and is an ‘inappropriate development’ in open countryside.