Battle to cope with Gypsy site demand - Berkshire

From Get Wokingham

Wokingham is facing a big fat Gypsy planning conundrum as it struggles to contain unauthorised Traveller sites in the borough and meet demands for living space.

More than 24 unauthorised pitches occupied by Gypsies were uncovered in a recent study by Wokingham Borough Council.

The Gypsy and Traveller community say the borough has failed to provide enough pitches and as a result the council has lost several battles over permanent Gypsy site plans at appeal, landing the borough legal bills worth thousands of pounds.

Planning inspectors have allowed 21 pitches to go ahead in the borough since 2006, against councillors and planning officers’ initial judgement.

Councillors at Wednesday's planning committee meeting deferred a decision to approve plans for two static Gypsy sites in Finchampstead and Arborfield.

Applicant Edward Doherty wants to provide eight pitches on his land at Highfield Park in Eversley Road, Arborfield Cross, to “meet a recognised need for such facilities in the area to facilitate a Gypsy lifestyle”.

The applicant adds: “The plan-led approach currently adopted by the council has failed to deliver sufficient sites.”

The site has a planning history dating back to the 1980s, including an injunction order issued in September last year to prevent part of the land being used for caravans or mobile homes.

Despite this and 11 objections from residents citing fear of crime and impact on the countryside, the council has earmarked the plan for approval, provided the applicant pays more than £50,000 towards improving the area, including schools and playgrounds.

Meanwhile, Samuel Price wants to provide one Gypsy pitch on land where a caravan and mobile have already been sited for three years, on land in Commonfield Lane, Finchampstead.

This proposal has also been earmarked for approval by planning officers. A report on the planning applications notes: “The council’s own Gypsy and Traveller sites are full, there is a waiting list for pitches and there are a number of unauthorised pitches in the borough.

“In recent appeals, the council’s evidence base to identify need has been challenged and therefore the council has appointed consultants to revise the GTAA (Gypsy
and Traveller Accommodation Assessment), which will provide robust evidence on the need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the borough.”

The council has 31 Traveller pitches at its two sites in Twyford and Arborfield, although at the Twyford site overcrowding means there are actually 30 mobile structures on site rather than the permitted 16. Work is being carried out to expand it.

The original South East Plan stated the council would need 21 pitches by 2016, however the council now admits this figure falls short and more will be needed.