Public inquiry into travellers' caravans plan - Surrey

From Get Surrey

A PUBLIC inquiry will be held into plans for Travellers' caravan pitches in Lower Kingswood.

The Planning Inspectorate announced the hearing would be held this year after a villager appealed against Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's decision to reject his application for change of use of his back garden.

Miley Connors, of Blackhorse Lane, applied for planning permission to pitch three caravans for his Irish Traveller relatives in his garden, alongside his family home and an ancillary caravan which his elderly mother lives in.

Agent Philip Brown, of Philip Brown Associates, said in a statement submitted alongside the plans that the site would be a "settled base" for Mr Connors' extended family and that they had been unable to live together for some time because of a lack of suitable accommodation.

He also made reference to the East Surrey Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2007 which estimated a need for 57 permanent caravan pitches by 2016, and that these three could contribute towards that figure.

The proposal, submitted to the council's planning department in July 2012, was thrown out after more than 250 objections from local people.

Neighbours and residents living in surrounding villages said the site would be unsuitable and out of place, while also increasing traffic.

Some were concerned it would "provide all the scope necessary for any travellers to occupy a pitch... and stay as long as intended".

The council's planning case officer recommended refusal because it would be inappropriate and harmful to the rural character of the surrounding green belt and visibility at the site's access would prejudice highway safety.

It was also branded a premature application because work was being undertaken by the council on an updated Traveller Accommodation Assessment.

The council has now sent out letters to local people and interested parties to confirm an appeal had been lodged and that the Planning Inspectorate would hold a public inquiry.

Anyone who wishes to make additional comments on the plans should write to The Planning Inspectorate, 3/06 Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, before January 28.

Any residents' associations or amenity groups wishing to give evidence at the public inquiry should notify the Planning Inspectorate as soon as possible. A date and location for the hearing will be decided in due course.

Information on the proposal can be found on Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's website.