Traveller site in the spotlight yet again - Herefordshire

From the Ledbury Reporter

A PUBLIC inquiry into a Travellers’ site at Newent is set to resume on Monday, January 21.

The inquiry started on November 6, and was due to last six days, but it became clear that it could not be completed in the allotted time, and because one of the barristers could not be present for the last two days.

The inquiry is considering an appeal by a group of Travellers into the refusal of their planning application for a 13-pitch caravan site at Southend Lane.

Travellers have been occupying the site since May 2009 and an enforcement order was served on them that June.

They appealed and after a public inquiry in December 2009 temporary planning permission was granted until January this year.

A previous planning application was rejected by Forest of Dean District Council in February 2010 and an appeal dismissed.

When the inquiry resumes it will last a further four days, two days more than was originally indicated by the authorities.

Mark Greening, of Newent Residents Against Inappropriate Development (RAID), said: “We feel this is particularly unfortunate given the additional stress and expense to all parties involved.

“It’s obviously frustrating and Newent RAID would prefer to have a decision sooner and it probably won't now be until March 2013.

“However, we do realise the inspector is examining all issues closely particularly given the previous inquiry inspector’s direction that the site should be vacated.

“We trust that all previous local council, local authority and regional decisions will be taken into account and duly upheld.”

The Travellers initially occupied the site on the late spring bank holiday weekend of 2009, putting down hardstanding for caravans and installing facilities such as septic tanks.

As well as opposing the residential use of the field, Newent RAID wants to assist local authorities in the Forest of Dean to make proper provision for travellers and their families, so illegal sites are not needed.