No option but to approve Dunkirk Gypsy site - Kent

From the Faversham Times

A SHORTAGE of pitches for Gypsies and Travellers across Swale means the council is at the mercy of developers, according to a Faversham councillor.

East Downs representative Colin Prescott said the council had a "gun to its head" over plans to expand a Gypsy site in protected woodland at Dunkirk after being warned that illegal sites could pop up due to the authority failing to meet its targets for Gypsy and Traveller provision.

The comments were made at a planning committee meeting in Sittingbourne on Thursday, as plans for an extra 19 Gypsy pitches at a former woodyard at Brotherhood Wood were given the go-ahead.

The plans mean the maximum number of caravans allowed will rise from 27 to 42, and the communal building would be extended.

John Burke, representing the site's manager Joseph Robb, reminded councillors that they had only provided 40 of the 112 pitches they were required to at the last count, and warned of an increase in illegal sites.

He said: "This applicant has followed the proper planning procedure and consulted with the settled community and the current site has been established without rejection.

"It is in the interest of all councillors and the settled community that this application is provided to make significant contribution to meeting the borough's site provision."

But Cllr Prescott responded: "I don't need to be told by an agent that we are not complying with regulations. I don't like having a gun put to my head.

"This applicant knows exactly what we can and can't do.

"I don't like it but if we have got this site we can take up and get rid of some of those people who are not supposed to be there on illegal sites such as in Baddlesmere, who can shift up there."

Despite supporting previous applications on the site, Dunkirk Parish Council objected over fears the area was being "overdeveloped".

Spokesman Cllr Jeff Tutt said: "We feel that this application would lead to poor living conditions that could be severely harmful to the residents.

"Although the site has some basic facilities and is accessible to limited bus services it is not a sustainable site to bring such an intense density to."

Councillors gave the plans the green light, with Labour leader Roger Truelove pointing out that councillors had already had to agree temporary sites because of the council's failure to provide enough pitches.

Independent councillor Mike Henderson added: "It will make substantial provision for that area of the borough and has been put together very sensibly."