Plans approved for new gypsy site

The plans include permission for one mobile home and one tourer caravan together with a hard standing and an ancillary day room.

Cheryl Butler, Ashfield District Councillor for Kirkby Central, said: “I have no problem with gyspsies or anyone else who wants to come and live in the area.

“My concerns were to do with traffic - this is a busy road where the national speed limit goes down to 30mph just before or after the entrance to the site.

“There have already been accidents in that area and now it has permission for static and touring vehicles.”

Cheryl said residents were also concerned that a concrete area would increase flooding to other properties which had suffered the problem in the past

She said: “The Flooding Authority cannot always see the problems - they look at a piece of paper but they do not see it from the practical side like the people who live nearby.”

Other objections from businesses and residents were as follows:

l Other proposals for the development have previously been refused

l The proposal relates to one gypsy pitch but does not state the number of caravans or families allowed to be stationed there

l The site is located within the Countryside contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework

l The development is inappropriate and affects the visual amenity of the area

Planning officers approved the plans as there were no objections from the Environment Agency and the lead Flood Authority,

A planning inspector ruled there would be no issue in respect of the impact upon residential amenity and the openness and character of the countryside.