Arlesey Travellers apply for 14 new pitches in Hitchin Road - Bedfordshire

From the Advertiser

Plans to add 14 new pitches to a Traveller site in Arlesey have been submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council.

Under the plans to extend the existing Twin Acres Traveller site in Hitchin Road, grazing land to the rear of the site would be used and a new communal space with amenities built.

A document submitted with the plan says: “Each pitch will accommodate a single-unit static mobile home, together with car parking for two vehicles.

“The proposal includes provision of an access road, laying of hardstandings, erection of a communal day room/amenity building, and provision of a central play area.”

It continues: “The proposed site extension would be largely screened from public view by frontage development and hedgerows along Hitchin Road.

“Landscaping would be provided in the form of hedge planting along the southern and western boundaries of the proposed caravan site extension.

“This would further assimilate existing and proposed development in to its landscape surroundings.”

It concludes: “The site access is an appropriate location for a Gypsy site, in a sustainable location, close to services and community facilities available in Arlesey.

“The site access has been accepted as being safe, and the site is not located in an area at high risk from flooding.

“There is substantial need for additional Gypsy sites in Central Bedfordshire to which the Secretary of State recently attributed considerable weight when granting temporary planning permission for six pitches in the green belt.

“The granting of permanent permission for the proposed site extension would help to meet the identified unmet need, and alleviate pressure on green belt sites.

“For the above reasons, planning permission should be granted.”

Responses from the public consultation on Central Bedfordshire Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan were due to be discussed by councillors on October 10.

However, council officers and members decided to delay announcing their changes to the plan after the Secretary of State granted on appeal temporary planning permission for six pitches at a site in Leighton Buzzard.

The council’s response is now expected in the new year.