Traveller family allowed to remain in Roydon - Hertfordshire

From the Hertfordshire Mercury

A FAMILY of Travellers who have lived in Roydon all their lives were granted permission to stay last night (Wednesday June 20).

William Breaker had asked Epping Forest Council for planning permission for the existing four caravans and a mobile home at Pear Tree Corner, Tylers Cross Nursery, to accommodate his three daughters.

The extended family has lived on the site since the early 1990s and the daughters have lived in the village all their lives.

However, the parish council had objected to the application.

Senior planning officer Jerry Godden told last night’s meeting of the planning sub-committee there were “very special circumstances” to outweigh the fact the site lies within the Green Belt.

He said: “There’s still a need for the council to accommodate Gypsies and Traveller families in the district.

“They have put down local ties – the children have been or still attend local schools, and are treated under the local healthcare arrangements.

“They haven’t gone outside of the land they own.”

Pear Tree Corner is one of three “tolerated” Traveller sites at Tylers Cross that were told they must apply for formal permission by the council last year.

Councillors voted unanimously to grant planning permission.