From the Birmingham Mail
Gypsies evicted from an illegal camp following a three-year battle have launched a bid to return to the green belt site – dealing residents a hammer blow.
A new appeal has been launched forcing Meriden campaigners to endure a five-day public inquiry which could see caravans returning to the site. Local people, who have already spent £87,000 on fighting the invasion in the High Court, have launched a desperate bid to raise a further £20,000 to pay legal fees.
Last month residents described feeling deliriously happy after caravans finally left the site – 1,086 days after they arrived.
They have been left furious by the latest twist, which will again see them back in court.
The Travellers, led by Noah Burton , were refused planning permission for two pitches off Eaves Green Lane – which was a stone’s throw from the field they lived on for years.
The group finally left on April 21 following a High Court battle but have launched an appeal which will be heard by a Secretary of State planning inspector at a five-day public inquiry, in Meriden, in August.
Members of Residents Against Inappropriate Development led an all weathers vigil campaign to get the Gypsies to leave the site now face having to spend a total of more than £100,000 in fighting the case.
Doug Bacon, vice chair of RAID, called the inquiry a “waste of public money” and said it would cost the group around £20,000 out of their own pockets to fight.
Mr Bacon said: “This planning inquiry is a waste of public money. In total, it will cost around £20,000 to hire a barrister and planning consultants.
“We are determined that this is the wrong place for any type of development with highway dangers, flooding, accessibility, and sustainability issues, which mirrors all the reasons for the adjacent site being inappropriate as confirmed by the local authority and courts.
“They say they need these two pitches because they have nowhere to go but they are living somewhere right now.”
The planning inspector will listen to arguments from the Gypsies, Solihull Council and RAID and decide if temporary permission should be granted.
Mr Bacon said: “This is the nature of what we are dealing with. Unfortunately what happens is that the developer, Noah Burton, is trying to wear down the system with repeated planning applications.
“It’s the thin end of the wedge because if they get planning permission, they will try to extend it.”
His views were echoed by Trevor Eames from the Solihull Ratepayers Association, who said: “We are certainly going to be making a presentation to the inspector, supporting the council’s case.
“This application is an abuse of the planning process. It’s going to prove costly for the tax payer in defending an application which is just playing games with the planning system.”
Today, also marks the end of the month-long period the Gypsies were given to restore the field back to its original green belt condition, as agreed by the High Court.
Mr Bacon said: “It’s still pretty much as it was, some work has been done. It’s got to be restored by 4pm, should they fail to do so, they will be in breach of the injunction.”
Mr Bacon said the group will be holding events to raise the £20,000 needed to continue their battle.
The inquiry will be held at the Heart of England Social Club, from August 8.
When approached by the Birmingham Mail, Mr Burton said he had no comment to make.
A Solihull Council spokesman said: “Solihull Council can confirm that a public inquiry will open on 8th August 2013, further details regarding the venue and start times will be published within the next few weeks.”
see also The Daily Mail - Villagers who spent 1,088 days on round-the-clock vigil to evict illegal Travellers have to pay £20,000 after group wins right to public inquiry
The Telegraph - Travellers may return to illegal camp after they win right to public inquiry
The Solihull Observer - Meriden Gypsies in fight to return
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