Fears override horse fields plan

FIELDS near the Costalot travellers’ camp will not be used as grazing land for up to 67 horses after plans were thrown out.

Council officers used delegated powers to refuse the bid which had villagers in Bagworth up in arms.

They feared any permission given to develop the area east of Heath Road would lead to progressive expansion and ultimately the creation of another travellers’ site.

Numerous applications to put up agricultural buildings and provide formal access have been submitted over the past seven years to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

All have either been withdrawn or refused at committee stage due to highways issues and impact on the countryside.

The latest was due to be heard by planning councillors at a meeting in June but following an investigation by officers the submission was stopped in its tracks.

Ratby, Bagworth and Thornton ward representatives Councillors Chris Boothby and Ozzy O’Shea had been prepared to fight the application.

Cllr Boothby said: “The planning application for the land at the top of Heath Road was to change the access, remove the existing wrecked caravans, install a building for horse feed and to have up to 67 horses on the land.

“This land used to belong to Mr Price but was purchased by Mr Whilshere from Costalot. We were told that no caravans would be placed on site and the applicant only wanted the land for horses and will agree to any con- ditions imposed by planning committee.

“This land had been subject to many previous applications and appeals, all of which were rejected. A senior planning officer reviewed the application and decided to refuse it under delegated powers without it going to committee. It is a relief for the local community. People were genuinely afraid it would have turned into a creeping development and become a new travellers site.”

He said people had been afraid one approval for changes to the site would open the gates for further applications which then would be more difficult in planning terms to turn down.

He added: “The Costalot site started as storage shed. History has proved people are not true to their word.” the