Meriden Gypsies request for new camp is thrown out by Solihull council

From the Birmingham Mail

Meriden Gypsies have had an application to set up an alternative camp on green belt land rejected.

The Travellers, led by Noah Burton, lodged plans to allow eight caravans/mobile homes, sheds and parking in a field off Eaves Green Lane – a stone’s throw from their current illegal development.

But Solihull councillors rejected the proposals at a packed meeting last night after hearing objections from locals.

Officers had recommended refusal in a report which said: ‘‘The proposed development would have a harmful impact on the tranquil, rural character and appearance of this location by introducing caravans, mobile homes, sheds, vehicles and other associated inappropriate features.’’

A long-running battle to remove the Travellers started after they moved onto their current Eaves Green Lane site in April 2010.

This spring they agreed to move by next March after signing an agreement with the council in front of a High Court judge.

Since then, the Travellers have unsuccessfully launched two bids to remain at the site. They claim they cannot find a new home and put in the latest application for the nearby site as an ‘interim measure’.

Councillor Tony Dicicco (Cons Meriden) said the council had plans to address the Travellers’ accommodation needs.

He said: “Temporary approval should not be relevant in this case as the gypsies already have a base until the end of March 2013.

‘‘They have agreed to leave this base and should work with the council to find suitable long-term accommodation, rather than relying on an unsuitable temporary solution.”