Planners granted new Travellers site in Draycott in the Clay - Staffordshire

From the Uttoxeter Advertiser Post and Times

A NEW Gypsy site is to be developed on land in a village near Uttoxeter, after a planning inspector overturned an initial refusal by East Staffordshire Borough Council.

Land opposite Station Cottages, on Station Road, in Draycott in the Clay, will now be transformed into a private two-pitch site with a septic tank, fencing and gravel surfacing for Travellers after being granted permission by the planning inspectorate.

The appeal was submitted by Mr H Sykes following the council’s decision.

Planners at the council refused the application in February last year as they said there was no need for additional provision for Gypsy and Traveller camps in the area.

They also argued that the location was unsuitable for the campsite and that the land in question was susceptible to flooding as well as there were some issues with the application surrounding highway safety.

However, following the appeal, planning inspector Andrew Hammond said it was suitable in terms of development principles.

He said: “The poor sustainability and the location of the proposed development should be balanced against the provision of a settled base and the benefits that would result, including a reduction in long-distance travelling.

“It is of note that the only local residents, other than the parish council, who made submissions or appeared at the hearing did so in support of the appellant indicating the likelihood of peaceful and integrated co-existence in line with the aims of the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.

“This adds weight in support of the appeal.”

The people hoping to move into the plot are currently living on unauthorised sites, he said, and this would meet their personal needs.

He added that flooding would not be a high risk.

Permission was granted on the condition the development was carried out in accordance with the plans that have been approved.

Other conditions included the site is restricted to Gypsies and Travellers, a flood warning is necessary with evacuation plan to protect people on the site and conditions recommended by the Environment Agency are undertaken.

The inspectorate said the development cannot begin later than three years from the date of the decision.

The statement added that the borough council accepted at the hearing that their suggested condition regarding the noise mitigation measures were not necessary.