Refused camp site now allocated in York’s Local Plan for Travellers - Yorkshire

From the Press

A 20-pitch Travellers’ site is being proposed in York’s Local Plan on land where an application for a 20-pitch campsite has recently been turned down.

Chowdene in Malton Road is one of the locations where land is being allocated for travellers in City of York Council’s new Local Plan.

But earlier this month, the same authority’s planning committee refused an application to create 20 pitches for touring caravans or tents and a toilet block on the site.

A report to councillors said the access road could not accommodate two way traffic flows for the first 50 metres back from the road, and vehicles would therefore be likely to have to reverse with restricted visibility into the busy road, presenting safety issues for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

York architect and council arch-critic Matthew Laverack said the report had failed to mention the land’s allocation in the Local Plan, and claimed that if an appeal was taken to the Planning Inspectorate, the authority would be at serious risk of costs being awarded against it.

“It cannot possibly be right for the planning department to consider this site suitable for permanent occupation travellers’ caravans while simultaneously turning down a planning application for touring caravans,” he added.

Huntington councillor Carol Runciman said proper provision was needed for travellers and showpeople, but good access and exits were vital, and the refusal of the campsite on access grounds raised questions about its allocation for a travellers’ site.

A spokesman for the Wardell family, who own the site, said the allocation was bizarre and said they intended referring to it in an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the campsite.

Council leader James Alexander claimed Mr Laverack had personal problems with the council and would use any opportunity to attack it.

A council spokeswoman said under the Local Plan proposals, extra land would be allocated to improve the inadequate entrance and exit arrangements which had led to the refusal of planning permission for the campsite.