Decision to be taken over Travellers' site - Moray

From STV

Moray councillors are being asked to give the green-light to a controversial Traveller site that had previously been rejected retrospective planning permission.

A special meeting on Tuesday will hear that an unauthorised development by Travellers on the site at Doolhill near Lhanbryde should remain in place for 18 months.

George Stewart purchased the site two years ago and built a number of chalets that are currently occupied by 14 Adults and six children. The land was designated as unsuitable for residential use in a decision that was subsequently upheld when an appeal was taken to the Scottish Reporter in July last year.

Mr Stewart was accused of “eroding the countryside” by local councillor Douglas Ross, who was one of the most outspoken opponents of the development.

As Councillor Ross is now chairman of the Planning and Development Committee, who will take the final decision, he will take no part in the latest proceedings.

The special meeting of the committee will be told that temporary planning permission for 18-months should be granted provided conditions are met. These include a security fence being erected around an electricity pylon and a turning area created to allow vehicles to exit the site safely.

Site owners will also be required to give an undertaking that at the end of the temporary period the site will be tidied and cleared of all caravans, chalets and other structures to the satisfaction of the Council.

Should the committee members decide against the recommendation they will be asked to consider taking either no further action, allowing the residents to remain on the unauthorised site, or if they should serve a notice of removal on the residents.

Last week Mr Stewart said he had understood the meeting would be asked to consider temporary planning permission for a three-year period. He said: “I’m confused about that – but they’re going to have to take us out with bulldozers because we’ve got nowhere else to go.”

Council officials say that the temporary permission is required to allow time for an alternative site to be located for the Travellers.