An appeal has been lodged against Cheshire East Council's refusal to grant planning permission for the development of a gypsy site on green belt land to the north west of Moor Lane.
The controversial plans to change the use of the open land for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes for a gypsy pitch, a utility/day room and additional hard standing were refused for the second time in January 2013.
The Northern Planning Committee refused the application on the grounds that very special circumstances do not exist to justify inappropriate development in the green belt.
An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State by Green Planning Solutions, who are acting on behalf of Mr John Allen. As a result there will be a public enquiry and a site visit by an inspector from the Planning Inspectorate.
The grounds for the appeal are that a single pitch will create limited actual harm to the openness of the green belt which is outweighed by the lack of suitable and affordable sites in the area.
According to the appeal documentation "Green Planning Solutions are of the opinion that there is a significant immediate need in the district. This adds considerable weight in favour of the appeal."
It also states "If necessary personal circumstances will be advanced including the potential site occupants personal need for a site, health and education."
A document submitted with the planning application (reference 12/4247M), which the Council received over 550 letters of objection to, said that Mr Allen's eldest son suffers from glaucoma. Therefore it was necessary to move closer to Manchester Eye Hospital as they need to attend regular appointments and sometimes require emergency specialist treatment. However, it was not clear from the information supplied where the applicant currently lives.
Cllr Gary Barton commented "This appeal and the current situation on the Carnival Field underline how important it is for Cheshire East, Wilmslow Town Council and local residents to remain vigilant in protecting our green spaces.
"The original application was rightly and firmly rejected both by the Town Council and by Cheshire East. Our reasons for refusal were clear and remain valid, this application would be wholly inappropriate development on green belt land. Local residents have made their views clear, and the planning inspectors should respect these views.
"The inspectors should also pay heed to guidance from Communities Minister Eric Pickles that traveller pitches are not permissible development in the green belt. Wilmslow Town Council has been forthright in its stance in protecting Wilmslow's green belt and will continue to be so. We are always in the lap of the Gods in these situations, but I am confident that the right decision will be made and that this appeal will be refused."
Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member in charge of planning, said: "In Cheshire East, we want to deliver sustainable sites for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople that are fit for purpose. It was felt that the site in Moor Lane is not an appropriate development in the greenbelt and is not sustainable.
"We hope that the planning inspectorate will share this view and we await the outcome of the public inquiry, for which a date has not yet been set."
Members of the public are invited to comment on the appeal, by sending letters in triplicate to the Secretary, Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.
Representations must be received by the deadline of 13th August and quote the appeal reference APP/R0660/A/13/2198596.
Further information can be found on the Cheshire East Council website, search using planning reference 12/4247M.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
If Mr Allen really does need to be near to Manchester Eye Hospital, then why not use one of the official traveller sites in Manchester? Or here's a thought - why not rent a house!
It's farcical.
As a caring family surely you'd want to be at least in the same county as the hospital, especially as they've raised travel as an issue.
I still trying to work out exactly what the appellant thinks he has up his sleeve since Eric Pickles ( after his own run in with travellers ) has reiterated that Greenbelt is not available for gypsy sites.
different from the previous effort, but perhaps , just like last time more twists will occur after
the last date for public comment !!
The timing of this appeal is also extremely calculating , so most folk are on hols !
I think letters to G Osborne and Eric Pickles may , just may help, and dont forget someone
has bought this site, [grapevine figures were £20k]
So some professional help on this side may be needed ?
@John Rowland , you would be brave to go near it . IMHO
"You can make your comments on line through the Planning Portal using the
search facility at http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/appeals/online/search [2]
or you can write to or email us."
...and the case number to search with is "APP/R0660/A/13/2198596".
Mr Allan's grounds for appeal are described in detail here [3] which is available from the Cheshire East Planning Application site. I thought I would share this information as the option to send comments in via an on-line form will be easier for many, rather than having to send three copies of a typed letter to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol. Remember that the deadline of 13th August is looming fast - if you have any comments, get them in now. References to the recent occupation of Carnival Fields and the School or not relevant to the case.
[1] http://tinyurl.com/aywqjvk
[2] http://tinyurl.com/33no4r7
[3] http://tinyurl.com/k52t646
It is accepted that CEC do not have any approved 'traveller' sites in NE Cheshire, but the original planning application referred to a need for location close to Mcr Eye Hospital for son to obtain specialist treatment for an eye condition. Also implied was that children were enrolled in local schools, yet the applicant failed to disclose which schools or current pitch location. So are there any approved traveller sites in Gtr Mcr/Stockport with better public transport access to Mcr Eye Hospital? Where is the nearest CEC approved site to Wilmslolw?.
Since this is a Wilmslow Green Belt development issue, I would like to hear comments from both WTC (Dean Row) by election candidates.