Newent Travellers file for a chance to stay a bit longer - Gloucestireshire

FURIOUS residents have accused Travellers, who should be off an unauthorised site today, of delaying tactics to enable them to stay.

A planning inspector told Travellers at Southend Lane, Newent, they could stay at the site until January 31 and return it to grassland.

But a new planning application for caravan pitches has now been filed.

The Travellers' planning consultant said it was prompted by Forest of Dean District Council failing to find another site.

"It's a delaying tactic," said spokesman for campaign group Newent RAID (Residents Against Inappropriate Development), Mark Greening.

"Residents here are going through a lot of heartache."

He called on the council to do more to make the Travellers comply with planning regulations.

The land is owned by the Travellers, who caused uproar in Newent by making the bulk of their move on to the site during the Whitsun Bank Holiday in May 2009. Lorry loads of stone were ferried through back lanes and residents were furious with district council officials who were powerless to stop it.

The Travellers' planning consultant Matthew Green said the application for 13 family Gypsy pitches with utility and day room buildings, gas tanks and hard-standing would not be necessary if the council found them another site.

"We should have been given permission the first time," he said. "The reason it was made temporary was so the council could come up with other alternatives which they failed to do."

A council spokeswoman said it will review the position today. "The planning inspector has given permission for the travellers to remain on site until January 31," she said.

"We will review the position after this date to consider whether there is a breach of planning control and if so, whether it is expedient to take any action.

"Our decision would need to take into account all relevant material planning considerations."

She confirmed a material consideration would include another planning application.

Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper called on the Travellers to abide by planning regulations.

"The decision by the planning inspector was that the Travellers should leave Southend Lane by 31 January," he said.

"I hope they obey the law and leave as required. My constituents want nothing more than that the law is obeyed."