Charity urges council to reject bid for traveller pitches in North Devon hamlet

Countryside charity Devon CPRE says local planners should reject an application for two travellers’ pitches on a field near Brayford.

The charity has objected to a revised planning application for two pitches with hardstanding, day rooms, a children’s play area and other associated infrastructure at the hamlet of Charles.

It said while the proposal has been reduced from four pitches to two, following the withdrawal of a previous application, the scale of built development has not reduced proportionately.

But ET Planning, the agent for applicants Philip and Kathleen Doran, said the proposal would seek to directly address the under supply of traveller sites in North Devon.

In a statement provided to the North Devon Gazette, a spokesperson said: “Whilst we note the views expressed by Devon CPRE, it will ultimately be for the local planning authority to weigh all material considerations and reach a balanced planning decision that serves the public interest of the whole community.

“That includes the council's statutory duty to plan for and provide suitable accommodation for all members of the community, including Gypsy and Traveller families — an obligation that sits at the heart of this application.”

READ MORE: New plans lodged for traveller site in sleepy North Devon hamlet

Devon CPRE says despite a lessening in size of the proposed day rooms, the ‘overall reduction in built footprint does not reflect a meaningful reduction in the intensity of development across the site’.

The site would be accessed via an unnamed rural lane which connects to the A399 at Brayford. Devon CPRE points out highways had previously raised a formal objection on the basis the surrounding county roads were inadequate to cope with this and with no pedestrian facilities.

Devon county councillor Richard Hopley, who represents South Molton, said: “I have from the outset supported the residents of Charles, regarding the application submitted to allow caravans to be permanently sited here.

“I believe there is also a risk regarding a sewage plant being located within metres of a freshwater borehole supplying several houses. The Devon verges and hedgerows were destroyed overnight to allow machinery onto the agricultural field, without any prior approval.

“From the outset this was unlawful and has caused great upset to the community. The highway at this location is also unsafe for the traffic entering and leaving the site. On behalf of my constituents, I am asking for the application in any form to be refused.”

A flurry of objections have been received by North Devon Council from residents, both for the previous application and the current one.

However the spokesperson from ET Planning told the Gazette: “The planning merits of the proposal are set out in full within the submitted planning statement, which is publicly available on the council's planning portal for anyone who wishes to review it.

“The application will be considered through the statutory planning process, which includes a formal public consultation period.

“Anyone with an interest in the proposal may engage with that process by submitting representations to the local planning authority on material planning matters; these will be carefully considered as part of the council's determination.”

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