Hearing looks into appeal for travellers' site in Temple Grafton
A DECISION is expected in the next six weeks that will determine whether an unauthorised traveller site can remain on land at Temple Grafton.
A planning appeal hearing took place on Tuesday (10th May) that will decide whether Richard Birch can use the land for a travellers’ site. He was previously refused planning permission but moved onto the land, much to the frustration of villagers, on Good Friday.
The hearing at Elizabeth House, chaired by planning inspector Andrew Owen, saw representatives of Temple Graton set out their reasons for the appeal to be dismissed, while landowner, Mr Birch, had his case represented by barrister, Philip Brown.
The application is to allow the land, next to Greenways off Church Bank, to be used for one gypsy pitch with two caravans, hardstanding and a day room. It was rejected by Stratford District Council in July 2020, which also issued a stop notice on work at the site.
The reasons given by Temple Grafton for the appeal to be rejected related to three main concerns:
- that the land owned by Mr Birch has historically been subject to flooding, and that the raising of the ground level with hardstanding will result in a run-off of water onto the nearby road and properties.
- the increased visibility of a traveller site does not fit with the character of the area.
- the plans would erode the boundary between the village and Ardens Grafton.
However, Stratford district has no other available pitches for gypsies and travellers, leaving families with nowhere to go.
The villagers said their stance was not due to anti-traveller sentiment, and the chairman of Temple Grafton Parish Council spoke on behalf of the residents.
“Whilst we are not anti-development, we take our duty to protect the heritage and visual amenity of the area seriously,” they said. “Thanks to the developer occupying the site prior to this hearing, the highly visible nature of this development is clear. I don’t think anyone can argue that the site is in keeping with the local character of the area or meets the criteria for high quality design expected of a location with two conservation areas and 30 listed buildings.
“Whilst the need for pitches is undeniable, the serious visual harm to the amenity of the neighbouring conservations areas, and the erosion of the boundary of the two settlements does not outweigh the benefit to the wider traveller community of the provision of one pitch.”
Mr Brown told the hearing the vast majority of approved traveller sites, such as Croft Lane in Temple Grafton, were a result of appeal hearings and “not because of the good grace of residents and the council”.
He continued: “The idea that the council is doing something for gypsies and travellers is completely false. It seems it will be a few years before they do anything positive for [them].”
Mr Brown also added: “What did the government expect was going to happen when it suggested gypsy sites should be in the countryside? Clearly it was anticipating they would be close by [to settled communities].”
Mr Owen also visited the site.
A decision on the appeal is expected in the next four to six weeks.
