Refusal of Moor Lane Gypsy site goes to appeal - Cheshire

From wilmslow.co.uk

An appeal has been lodged against Cheshire East Council's refusal to grant planning permission for the development of a Gypsy site on green belt land to the north west of Moor Lane.

The controversial plans to change the use of the open land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes for a Gypsy pitch, a utility/day room and additional hard standing were refused for the second time in January 2013.

The Northern Planning Committee refused the application on the grounds that very special circumstances do not exist to justify inappropriate development in the green belt.

An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State by Green Planning Solutions, who are acting on behalf of Mr John Allen. As a result there will be a public enquiry and a site visit by an inspector from the Planning Inspectorate.

The grounds for the appeal are that a single pitch will create limited actual harm to the openness of the green belt which is outweighed by the lack of suitable and affordable sites in the area.

According to the appeal documentation "Green Planning Solutions are of the opinion that there is a significant immediate need in the district. This adds considerable weight in favour of the appeal."

It also states "If necessary personal circumstances will be advanced including the potential site occupants personal need for a site, health and education."

A document submitted with the planning application (reference 12/4247M), which the Council received over 550 letters of objection to, said that Mr Allen's eldest son suffers from glaucoma. Therefore it was necessary to move closer to Manchester Eye Hospital as they need to attend regular appointments and sometimes require emergency specialist treatment. However, it was not clear from the information supplied where the applicant currently lives.

Cllr Gary Barton commented "This appeal and the current situation on the Carnival Field underline how important it is for Cheshire East, Wilmslow Town Council and local residents to remain vigilant in protecting our green spaces.

"The original application was rightly and firmly rejected both by the Town Council and by Cheshire East. Our reasons for refusal were clear and remain valid, this application would be wholly inappropriate development on green belt land. Local residents have made their views clear, and the planning inspectors should respect these views.

"The inspectors should also pay heed to guidance from Communities Minister Eric Pickles that Traveller pitches are not permissible development in the green belt. Wilmslow Town Council has been forthright in its stance in protecting Wilmslow's green belt and will continue to be so. We are always in the lap of the Gods in these situations, but I am confident that the right decision will be made and that this appeal will be refused."

Members of the public are invited to comment on the appeal, by sending letters in triplicate to the Secretary, Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.

Representations must be received by the deadline of 13th August and quote the appeal reference APP/R0660/A/13/2198596.

Further information can be found on the Cheshire East Council website, search using planning reference 12/4247M.