Site Location

Hinckley & Bosworth’s draft Core Strategy contains a specify policy relating to gypsy and traveller site provision that sites should have safe highway access and can be capable of sympathetic assimilation into the surroundings and be appropriate to the scale of the nearest settlement, its local services and infrastructure.

As the site lies in an area, which is currently designated as Green Wedge, the development of the site as a traveller site would undoubtedly adversely affect the character of area which has a pleasant countryside feel. Despite the fact that no permanent buildings would be erected, the appearance of the site would be discordant in the landscape, detrimental to its character and appearance and contrary to the criteria in the draft Core Strategy policy which requires new sites to assimilate sympathetically in its surroundings.

Proximity of education and health facilities

Attendance at the nearby schools in any of the three adjacent settlements would require travel to and from the site by private car with little prospect of a viable public transport option. This unsustainable pattern of development is discouraged by Government guidance, including Planning Policy Statement 1, and this explains the reasonable preference for sites within and adjacent to existing settlements provided by the first two criteria in draft Policy 18 of the Core Strategy. The same point would apply in the case of GP and other medical services which would be provided in Groby, Anstey or Glenfield. It is considered that whilst the proximity of the site to education and health facilities accords with the criteria set out in draft policy 18, in reality, it is distant from these services and would give rise to unsustainable patterns of travel in contravention of current Government guidance.

Highway safety and effect on right of way

The site is located on a bend on a road restricted to the national speed limit. Although the use would be unlikely to generate significant vehicle movements, there are well founded concerns at the safety of users of this road. If the highway authority have assessed the proposal and confirmed that a certain number of vehicle movements would be generated by a certain number of pitches would this number be acceptable to Leicestershire highways department without detriment to highway safety. The road has no pavement or footpath so any pedestrian movement would mean walking on the roadside creating further hazards.

The centre of the site is crossed by a public right of way and the site would impact on this amenity.

Services

It is understood that the site is not served by mains drainage, power or water and accordingly, all of these facilities would need to be provided to this relatively remote location. This further emphasises the unsustainability of the site for the suggested purpose.

Conclusion

Whilst recognising the difficulty in identifying suitable sites to meet gypsy and travellers needs which would not cause harm to character, amenity or other planning considerations, the number of concerns in relation to this suggested allocation not least those related to the proximity of the site to education and health facilities. When combined with the likely detriment to the character and appearance of this area of Green Wedge, it is considered that the proposed allocation for a gypsy and traveller site in this location is contrary to national and local planning policy.

Having taken professional planning advice on the merits of the proposed allocation of this particular site as a gypsy and traveller site, Anstey Parish Council unanimously concluded, at a full council meeting held on 10 March 2008, to object to the proposal as set out in the HBBC document.

Anstey Parish Council
March 2009 « Less