Decision over Oxhey Lane 12-caravan Gypsy site delayed by Three Rivers councillors - Hertfordshire

From the Watford Observer

Carpenders Park residents face an uncertain wait to know whether a controversial application for a 12-caravan Gypsy site will be allowed to open on their doorstep.

Dozens of residents heard councillors from Three Rivers District Council's planning committee agree to a site visit to Green Acres in Oxhey Lane next month.

Applicants want to turn the site, which currently houses six stables, into a home for six families each with two caravans and additional hard standing.

The agreement to defer means the decision will not be made until the next meeting on May 23.

Conservative leader Councillor Chris Hayward suggested fellow politicians may be keen to defer the decision until after the upcoming county council elections on May 2.

He said: "I don't think we need a site visit, I think we should throw it out.

"It has been suggested to me that some councillors would prefer to defer so we don't have to make a decision while the county council elections are upcoming.

"What more do we need to know, it is wholly inappropriate and it should be thrown out tonight."

This comment was rejected by other councillors including council leader Councillor Ann Shaw who said: "Councillor Hayward has just indicated why this shouldn't be determined today.

"If this is going to be rejected it will have to be done on well thought out grounds.

"It will help residents in no way at all if instead of going on a site visit we throw it out.

"It will just be overturned on appeal and may be given full permission."

The meeting heard that almost 1,200 people had signed a petition opposing the site while around 50 Carpenders Park residents turned out to show their opposition. Harrow Council also made representations against the use of the site.

Residents said they feared allowing the site to be used would allow "a potential Dale Farm scenario" as well as causing unnecessary development of the green belt, the loss of visual amenity, increased strain on local amenities, an increase in crime and a fall in property prices if the site made the surrounding area less desirable.

Councillor Pam Hames, a Lib Dem ward member for Carpenders Park, said: "I have very strong views on this application, I would particularly like a site visit as I think we need to see where this access comes out.

"I use this road all the time and I just cannot believe highways are allowing it, it would be horrible.

"I would be very happy to demolish this now but I'm very scared it will come back at us and if it goes to appeal we know deep down they will accept it."

The application comes less than a month after the Watford Observer revealed a 3.5 hectare area of green belt land in Tolpits Lane had been earmarked by Three Rivers for a new traveller site.

However, as this was a consultation document it is not currently considered to contribute towards the identified need for eight Gypsy and Traveller pitches by 2022.