Loophole could let more Travellers onto Smithy Fen - Cambridgeshire

From Cambridge News

More Travellers could be allowed to move onto Smithy Fen because of a loophole which neighbours claim makes a “mockery” of the planning system.

A Government inspector who gave a family permission to live on six plots in Pine Lane in 2003, on account of their “specific need” to be in Cottenham, omitted to impose a condition requiring the land to be returned to agriculture once Travellers move on.

Since the appeal was allowed, the pitches have been empty for several years, and now the Boswells have applied to lift the condition limiting the occupancy to themselves - allowing the pitches to be sold and reoccupied.

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning committee has been recommended to approve the latest request because the lack of a condition means the fencing and hardstanding remains, whether or not the pitches are occupied.

Cottenham Parish Council has opposed the application, warning it would open up Pine Lane as a “general Traveller site”.

Rosemary Jones, who lives on a farm at Smithy Fen, said the planning system was being made a “mockery” of and warned a worrying precedent could be set of ‘personal’ permissions being turned into general consents.

Two of the six pitches originally covered by the personal consent have already been given permanent permission at a separate appeal.

Cllr Simon Edwards, who represents the area, said: “I think there are compelling reasons to refuse this application because it was originally granted because of the specific personal circumstances.

“Unless there is a new occupier with overwhelming personal circumstances that will outweigh the harm, I fail to see how it can be justified.”

In a report to councillors, planning director Jo Mills argued the impact of the pitches was “minor” and well screened.

She said: “Removal of the personal condition as proposed would not, on balance, result in undue harm to the wider landscape or affect the important visual separation between the northern and southern areas of the Smithy Fen Travellers’ site area.

“Whatever the decision, the site would continue to comprise hard surfaces and fences, and could be resorted to by the named occupiers. It will therefore not contribute to any sense of openness.”