Gypsy site 'would fit in with countryside location' - Hampshire

From Get Hampshire

New plans for a Gypsy pitch in a peaceful hamlet have again angered residents.

A bid to build a pitch on the flood-prone field in Taplins Farm Lane, Winchfield, was thrown out last year.

But applicant Henry Giles has now lodged new plans, which include additional hardstanding and a utility/dayroom on the seven-acre site.

More than 40 residents have already fired off objection letters to Hart District Council. Among them is David Bates of Station Road in Winchfield, who said the permanent facilities in the proposal suggested a larger number of units would be accommodated on the site.

Mr Bates warned the area was liable to flooding and pointed out that more than half of the total number of Gypsy sites in Hampshire were in Hart.

“There are several of these sites within a five-mile radius of Winchfield, the last unspoilt Doomsday Book village in the region,” said Mr Bates.

The planning application comes soon after a public inquiry into plans for a two-pitch Gypsy site at nearby Oaktree Paddock in Potbridge Road, Odiham.

Tenny and Elaine Turner were appealing against the council’s decision to refuse permission last August after ruling the detrimental impact the proposal would have on the designated Site of Special Scientific Interest outweighed the need for traveller provision.

A four-day public inquiry was held and now both sides are waiting for the ruling of planning inspector Douglas Morden.

Hartley Wintney Parish Council has also objected to the Winchfield application, warning the site access is on a blind, hazardous bend in the road, which is used by heavy farm machinery and car transporters.

“Changing the access to the site would involve ripping out a large length of ancient mixed hedgerow,” warned the parish council. “Hart has previously refused such permission on a far less significant hedgerow in Winchfield.”

Green Planning Solutions, the Shrewsbury-based firm acting as agents for Mr Giles, said the pitch and utility/dayroom were needed “to meet a recognised need for such facilities in the area to facilitate a Gypsy lifestyle”.

It added that the nearest bus stop was 800 metres away and provided a regular service to surrounding towns and villages.

“The materials, overall scale and form of the utility/dayroom building are appropriate to a countryside location with features typical of the tradition of agricultural buildings of this scale in the countryside,” said the firm.

“Existing hedgerows, bunds and areas of substantial vegetation will be retained and augmented wherever possible and no existing trees will be affected by the proposals.

“Additional native hedgerow and tree planting is indicated on the plan to supplement what exists on the site and where any hedgerow is removed this will be replaced with new native species planting."

Hart planning officers are considering the scheme.