Expansion plans opposed for Sandy site not in Gypsy plan - Bedfordshire

From the Advertiser

A councillor has condemned a scheme to allow more caravans at a site near Sandy, despite it not being short-listed for expansion in Gypsy plans.

In its Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan, which was consulted on earlier this year, Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) identified several sites that might accept more members of the travelling community.

But if a new application for a lawful development certificate is granted, four extra caravans could be allowed at Long Lake Meadow, High Road, Seddington, despite the site not featuring in the local plan.

Though the site only has permission for one caravan at present, that could soon change if planners agree more wouldn’t constitute a change of the site’s use.

Sandy Town Council member Cllr Michael Scott, who covers the site as part of his Beeston Ward, told the Advertiser: “I personally would be vehemently against it.

“There has only even been one caravan on site, never five, so it does constitute a change of use.

“Permission for the existing one was only gained by default because CBC never enforced the removal of the caravan.

“This is a greenfield site being used for such a purpose unnecessarily when it is not one of the planned sites for Travellers being looked at by CBC.”

He added: “The access is totally unsuitable because it comes off of the A1. Unless they plan to rectify it – which coming out on to the A1 would be very expensive I believe – the access is unsafe.

“The site is also on the edge of a flood plain and therefore not suitable for development.”

A document submitted alongside the application argues: “The main issue in this case is whether an increase in the number of caravans from one to five constitutes a material change of use for planning purposes.

“Clearly, any increase in the number of caravans would be likely to result in more traffic, more on-site activity, and have a more intensive appearance.

“But provided these impacts constitute more of the same they will not result in a definable change in the character of the use.”

The document continues: “There are no nearby residential properties sufficiently close by to be unduly disturbed by additional residential activity on the appeal site.”

Cllr Scott also contested this claim, saying: “That is untrue. There are two immediate neighbours I know personally and they are very upset.”