Arlesey Gypsy site to grow despite town’s fears - Bedfordshire

From the Biggleswade Chronicle

A Gypsy and Traveller site can officially expand despite fierce opposition.

Mr L Connors’ planning application to add four more static caravans to the Twin Acres site off Arlesey’s Hitchin Road was discussed at Central Beds Council’s development management committee meeting on Wednesday (November 21).

The site had permission for one caravan but the extra caravans were installed before Wednesday’s decision. Central Beds Council had served enforcement notices for their removal but these were appealed.

Arlesey residents thronged the council chamber’s public seating area.

Hugh Harper, chairman of Arlesey Residents Association, said: “This application is beyond what’s reasonable for our community.

“The area is becoming overdeveloped. We are very concerned about the highway condition in this area. There are blind spots in the road.”

Nick Daniels, Arlesey Town Council chairman, was met with public applause as he urged the committee to listen to local views and refuse the application. Protesters said that Arlesey already has its fair share of Gypsy and Traveller pitches.

Central Beds ward councillor Ian Dalgarno said: “The community have galvanised themselves against what they consider to be excessive pitches.

“There have been nearly 600 objections.”

But Councillor Nigel Young said there are more pitches in the south of the county than in the north.

Arlesey ward councillor Rita Drinkwater said the application should be refused due to over-development, unsafe pedestrian and highway access plus lack of school places and because there is already Gypsy and Traveller provision in the town.

But many councillors felt these arguments would not stand up to an appeal. Planning officers had recommended approval, stating improving site access would be a condition.

Councillor Raymond Berry did not feel there were valid reasons for refusing the application and requested a recorded vote.

The vote was tied and committee chairman, Councillor Alan Shadbolt, gave his casting vote in favour of approval.

He said: “I do sympathise with the residents but we have to look at planning reasons.”