Objections lodged to Gypsy family to set up home in Cheltenham - Gloucestershire

From the Gloucester Echo

STRONG objections have been lodged against plans for Gypsies to take up permanent residence in a field on the outskirts of Cheltenham.

More than 30 residents have written to the borough council to submit their views on the application from Lita Cox and her family to call Castle Dream Stud, in Mill Lane, their home.

Family members, who are of Gypsy descent, have occupied the site under temporary permission for the past three years, during which time they have put up hard-standing, fencing, horse stables and a caravan.

Their immediate neighbours say they have no problem with the plans, claiming they have been a positive influence since they arrived.

But further afield, in the village of Ham, the rumblings of discontent are growing with people fearing the application could pave the way for more Gypsies to arrive.

One resident said: “We feel compelled to write to oppose the application.

“We are extremely concerned that should the site become a permanent one, it could be sold and passed on to other traveller families who may not be as considerate.”

Another person said: “The granting of the initial temporary permission struck me as the thin end of the wedge.

“It is completely clear that any further permission, either temporary or otherwise, will be met with greater future demands.”

Other objections centre on the fact that, originally, the land was set to be used to stable horses. However, due to a change in circumstances among the Cox family, horses are no longer at the site.

Another resident said: “No, no, no, no! The AONB is supposed to be a protected area.

“It is not a place to allow humans to reside willy nilly, travellers or not.

“The horses were a big reason why they were able to stay at Castle Dream Stud – so now Mrs Cox has no reason to be there.

“If we don’t protect the fringes of the AONB then in future there will be no AONB. We must stand firm.”

Adam Gatier, planning agent for the Cox family, said a condition could be added to the planning approval to prevent an influx of members from the Gypsy community.

Borough council planners will make a decision by this Thursday.

To comment on the plans go to cheltenham.gov.uk (reference 13/01459/COU).