Travellers win fight to stay
ANGRY residents are appealing to a government minister to overturn a decision allowing travellers to live on green belt land in Havercroft.
The Planning Inspectorate overruled a Wakefield Council enforcement notice ordering the travellers off the land, on Brier Lane, after a two-day inquiry in June.
And it gave permission for the group to site up to 12 caravans on six pitches, together with utility or day rooms.
The council had served the notice in November 2009, alleging that the land was changed from agricultural use to a residential caravan site - with hardstandings, an amenity block and boundary walls - without the necessary planning permission.
The travellers were ordered to remove the caravans and structures and return the land to its original state.
But the group - led by David Connor - lodged an appeal.
The only way to get the inspector's decision overturned now is through the High Court in London.
But residents have asked to meet with MP Eric Pickles, the secretary of state responsible for communities and local government.
Hemsworth MP Jon Trickett said: "I met with local residents on this matter some months ago and submitted a letter of objection. They have now been in touch with me asking to raise the matter with the secretary of state for communities and local government.
"I have written on their behalf, pointing out their concerns. The residents have also asked to meet the secretary of state and I have passed on this request."
At the inquiry Kevin Winter, Wake?eld Council's solicitor, said it was an 'inappropriate development' which was harmful to the openness of the green belt.
He said residents had expressed fears of anti-social behaviour.
Michael Rudd, representing Mr Connor, said harm to the green belt was limited and could be mitigated by sympathetic landscaping.
Addressing the issue of anti-social behaviour, he said evidence had amounted to a 'general perceived fear resulting from the nature of the site users rather than their actual activities'.
District councillor Maureen Cummings said: "It is not a popular decision but the process has been followed and the appeal has been upheld. The Planning Inspectorate has awarded the travellers court costs so I suspect the decision will not be appealed against at High Court. I am very disappointed."
Mr Connor was not available to comment about the issue.
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Weather for Wakefield
Thursday 09 February 2012
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