Gypsy family told they can stay on land near Crewkerne - Somerset

From the Western Gazette

A GYPSY family has been told they can continue to live on a patch of land near Crewkerne.

Billy Hughes and his family were refused permission to remain on the land at Stonage Lane in Haselbury Plucknett by South Somerset District Council in June 2013.

However, the family launched an appeal and the council’s decision has been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.

The Romany Gypsy family set up camp on the land after they left the Eggwood site in Merriott.

The family wanted permission for two mobile homes, two touring caravans, a day room, hardstanding and refuse storage on the Haselbury site.

Giving his appeal decision, planning inspector Clive Kirkbride said that there was a lack of alternative sites locally for the family and they could be forced “back on the road” if they could not remain at the site.

He also highlighted that the family’s four children attend schools in Crewkerne and are doing well.

He said: “I have found that the development would not have a harmful visual impact and only a limited adverse impact on the character of the site and its surroundings. Clearly this is a family that needs a settled base.

“Were the appeal to fail, the family faces being evicted, uprooted again and forced to live on the road with all the hardship that will entail, including possible disruption to the children’s education and the loss of work experience at a nearby equestrian yard for two of them, which the employer would be prepared to extend. Dismissal of the appeal would be excessive or disproportionate and would outweigh any harm to the public interest.”