Gypsy site in village could triple in size - Shropshire

From the Shropshire Star

A Gypsy site in a quiet village in Shropshire will treble in size to allow touring caravans to take up home in the county, if new plans are approved.

An application has been made to expand The Finney’s Caravan Site in Edgmond, near Newport, which has permission for three pitches. The Finney family wants to add six pitches – three static homes and three touring caravans.

The family has lived legally on the land for 17 years but now wants to open the site up to more Travellers. The site would be run by the family.
South West Law, solicitors for applicant Isiah Finney, said a national shortage of sites for Gypsies was reflected in the district and county.

“There is therefore a need to make adequate provision for Gypsies and in the absence of any alternative provision, this site is as good as any,” he said.

Telford & Wrekin Council is responsible for two Gypsy and Traveller sites at Lawley Furnaces and Lodge Road, Donnington Wood. Both are full and have waiting lists.

Mr Finney said he had been approached on numerous occasions by Gypsies and Travellers asking if they could pull onto his land.

The South West Law statement adds: “They have had to turn these people away and they are then forced to stop on the road side and other waste ground.

“This causes significant harm to the families who are forced to live in this way, without access to even the most basic sanitation facilities, access to health care or education for their children.

“It also causes harm to the council and other landowners on whose land they are forced to stop.”

The 1.5-hectares site is serviced by mains water and electricity. Plans say no further development is intend- ed and it would not be out-of-keeping with surroundings.

They add: “The addition of six caravans would have a minimal visual impact and it would be difficult for the council to identify a more suitable piece of land for a Gypsy and Traveller site.”