Family appeals to overturn rejection of 10 Gypsy and Traveller pitches in East Cambridgeshire village

A family hopes to overturn a council decision to refuse permission for 10 “much-needed” Gypsy and Traveller pitches in a village.

East Cambridgeshire District Council rejected the application to allow the pitches on land off Pools Road, in Wilburton, raising concerns about highway safety and the impact of the change on the landscape.

An appeal has now been submitted to the planning inspectorate against the decision.

The 10 pitches would have each included a static caravan and a touring caravan.

The planning documents drew attention to the lack of land available for Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the district.

It said the applicant, A Buckley, had made “extensive searches” for land over six years, and found this was the only site available for them and their extended family.

The plans said the proposal would offer “much needed accommodation”.

It said: “Safe vehicular access to Pools Road can be provided. There is a public footpath to the north of the site, and this can be used for pedestrian access to Witchford.

“Any development has impacts on a landscape. The developers propose to enter into a landscape condition with the local planning authority to strengthen existing hedgerows. This should minimise any perceived damage to the landscape.”

Rejecting the plans, the council said: “The character of the area is defined by an open fen landscape that is primarily open fields (including paddocks), sporadic hedges and tree belts.

“The proposal will create a significant visual disturbance in the fen landscape that would be detrimental to the overall character of the area.

“The proposal for 10 Gypsy and Traveller plots has failed to demonstrate that it can achieve a safe vehicular access onto the highway, due to insufficient visibility splays and manoeuvring space for larger vehicles.

“In addition the lack of safe and easy routes for pedestrians to access services and facilities means that future occupiers will be reliant on using their motor vehicles.”

Similar plans asking for permission for 10 pitches were refused back in 2017. The latest application was objected to by Witchford Parish Council, Haddenham Parish Council and Little Thetford Parish Council.

The parish councils raised concerns about the flood risk to the land and the “detrimental effect” on the fen landscape.

They also questioned whether there was a need for more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the area.

A decision on the appeal is due to be made by a planning inspector. A date for the decision has not yet been set.