Travellers' site plans opposed - Leicestershire

From the Leicester Mercury

Plans to create a permanent caravan site for Travellers on the outskirts of a village have met with opposition.

Members of the Earl Shilton Action Group (ESAG) said the site at Dalebrook Farm, in Leicester Road, is unsuitable because it is prone to flooding.

However, in a letter supporting the application, Romany Gypsy Aaron Smith said the proposal would help meet the shortfall in pitches in Hinckley and Bosworth.

The application for up to 20 caravans off the Earl Shilton bypass is being discussed by the borough's planning committee tomorrow.

The scheme involves the partial demolition of buildings.

Mr Smith told the council: "The proposal involves the change of use of land from grazing to part use for a caravan park and the keeping of cattle.

"The site has all the services including electricity, water and drainage and is well screened.

"As we are local people, we are well-known in the area and our park will be for well-respected, good-mannered members of the travelling community."

Earl Shilton Town Council has raised concerns over flood risk, drainage, highways and the impact of the scheme on biodiversity in the area. Five residents have also written to object to the proposals.

Alan Greenwood, from ESAG, said: "This site is on a flood plain without provision for foul sewage disposal. We consider it is on the wrong site as it is on the gateway both to Earl Shilton and Hinckley."

Mr Greenwood said he believed up to 30 caravans would be located on the site and said it was too big for the area.

However, officers at Hinckley and Bosworth council said there had been negotiations with the applicants to refine the development.

Officers conceded part of the site was in a flood zone but said the risks were minimal.

An officer said in a report: "There is no reason or evidence to suggest the development would have an adverse impact in respect of waste."