Leeds-Wakefield border Traveller site plan set for go-ahead - Yorkshire

From the Yorkshire Evening Post

Controversial plans for a Traveller camp on the Leeds-Wakefield border have been recommended for approval, despite more than 1,200 objections.

Wakefield Council’s planning and highway’s committee is being urged to approve plans for a 10-pitch site on grazing land at Castle Gate, Stanley, next to the M62.

Originally submitted to the council last year, the proposals led to around 200 residents gathering at a joint community meeting opposing the idea in March.

Objections from councillors and residents argued the site would destroy green belt land and would put occupants of the site and drivers at risk due to its close proximity to the motorway.

Stanley Action Group member Vikki Stansfield, who lives just yards from the land, said: “As a group we are very disappointed that the planning officer has recommended the approval, there seems to be no regard to the valid objections received.”

She said the argument that the plans should be approved due to Wakefield’s lack of traveller sites does not stand up as the council is looking for a new site.

The application, which includes building permanent pitches, landscaping and utility rooms was amended last year to include provision for an on-site warden, a limitation to parking and rules on complaints and evictions.

Justin Coley, from Carlton Village Residents Association, said: “It appears that Wakefield Council are bowing to the wants of a minority rather than the needs of the local majority, which is to protect our local community, infrastructure and our greenbelt heritage.”

Coun Karen Bruce (Lab, Rothwell) said: “It seems people’s concerns have been totally ignored, which is really frustrating.”

In 2009 there was an estimated shortfall of 86 Traveller pitches in West Yorkshire and a plan to find a suitable site for travellers, adopted by the council last year, is still in its early stages.

The planning report stated: “It is clearly recognised that the scale and layout of the site would diminish the openness of the greenbelt and therefore be materially harmful in this respect.

“However, there are very special circumstances which would apply in this instance.” The landowner wished not to comment. The decision will be made at a meeting at County Hall, in Wakefield, next Thursday (Jan 31) at 10.30am.