Appeals lodged against 'vulnerable' flood risk gypsy and traveller sites plans in Harborough village
Appeals have been lodged against refusals for two new gypsy and traveller pitches in Harborough district
Officials at Harborough District Council had previously rejected both amid flooding fears, but the applicant is now contesting that.
Ruben Arrowsmith had aimed to erect the two separate pitches – one is for a mobile home with ramp access for a gypsy and traveller pitch and the other is for a mobile home with a dayroom and hardstanding – for Bowden Lane in Welham last year. The respective applications, which were submitted in October and November 2023, were both rejected by planning officials at the district council.
In their decision, planning officers at the council said both pitches fell within a “highly vulnerable” flood risk area, and the proposed flood risk mitigation measures were inadequate. The council also believed the pitches’ remote location meant there was a “high likelihood” private cars were needed, but Mr Arrowsmith disagrees.
In his appeal, Mr Arrowsmith said that the land at Cosy Corner Stables on Bowden Lane, in Welham, is bordered by a site known as Stable View to the east. He said there is a “lawful” travelling showperson’s site, along the opposite side of Bowden Lane, known as Wild Meadow.
Included in the documentation, Mr Arrowsmith sent in the planning application for Wild Meadow, which was overturned at appeal, for one mobile home for the use of a travelling showman. This was approved 14 years ago, in May 2010.
Documents note that the access to the appeal site is from Bowden Lane, which is a single-track country lane. Mr Arrowsmith added previous planning documents to his appeal, which included Cosy Corner Stables. Planning permission for this area was granted in September 2017 for the change of use of the front half of the site to equestrian use, together with permission for hardstanding and erection of stables.
Planning permission was then granted for the area in February 2021, for the change of use of the rear half of the site to equestrian use, together with the laying of hardstanding and erection of stables.
The appellant also sent in five other examples of gypsy and traveller site planning applications that were overturned at appeal, including four pitches at Mere Lane, Bitteswell, Lutterworth, and further pitches in Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire and Shawbury.
The applicant has requested that a hearing take place for the decision, and explained: “This appeal relates to the appellant’s home and raises issues of need, the availability of alternative sites, flood risk, personal circumstances and needs of the child. These issues can only be properly considered by means of an oral hearing.”
An appeal decision date has not yet been set. Anyone wishing to make representations on the appeal or add to the earlier comments should send three copies of their letter to “the Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/09, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN”. Those responding must quote the appeal references which are: APP/F2415/W/24/3342312 or APP/F2415/W/24/3342250 respectively.
Comments need to be received by Tuesday, September 24.