Plans for new Traveller site at Praze-an-Beeble unanimously rejected by Cornwall Council

From the West Briton

A CONTROVERSIAL application for a new Traveller site near Praze-an-Beeble has been turned down.

Plans from a Mr C Russell for change of use to a single family pitch in a field at Horsedowns, including a mobile home, compost toilet and shed, were unanimously rejected at a Cornwall Council planning committee meeting on Monday.

Councillors agreed the site was not in keeping with the surrounding countryside and said approving it would set a precedent.

When the proposal was put forward it caused outrage in the area and more than 100 people attended a public meeting earlier this year to object to the plans.

Local resident Martin Priest spoke on behalf of the local community at Monday's meeting, where he called for the plans to be turned down.

He said: "The consequences of a pitch on the land would be destructive to the countryside.

"We are against development in this field by anyone. Our concern is about a precedent it would set for unsustainable development."

The application also proposed some of the land be cultivated to include areas for tree planting, amenity space and a vegetable garden.

Crowan Parish Council objected to the plans, stating that the development would have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area.

Speaking at the planning meeting, parish council chairman Sandra Muriel said: "Crowan Parish Council has listened carefully to the significant number of concerns from our parishioners regarding this application.

"Previous applications for this site have been refused. We feel it would be unjust to approve this application."

Despite identifying a shortfall in Traveller pitches, planning officers recommended the site for refusal as it depended on a private vehicle to access services and facilities.

Cornwall councillor for Crowan and Wendron, Loveday Jenkin, spoke against the application, saying local residents' concerns about the site were legitimate.

She added: "If [the site] is not suitable for settled housing it should not be suitable for a Travellers' pitch."