Travellers’ site at village farm is given green light

A TRAVELLERS’ site in a Leicestershire village has been approved by planners.

Permission was granted for three caravan pitches and the conversion of a building into a day room on the land at Spinney View Farm in Claybrooke Parva, near Lutterworth.

Harborough District Council’s planning committee approved the plans at a recent meeting.

They have a legal duty to provide five permanent gypsy and traveller pitches in the district. Access to the site will be shared with Claybrooke Riding Stables.

The land is currently unused. A building will be converted into a day room with kitchen and shower facilities.

Residents and Claybrooke

THREE CARAVAN PITCHES AND CONVERSION OF BUILDING APPROVED

Parva Parish Council had raised concerns about extra demand on local services and the lack of a safe pedestrian route from the site into the village.

The site is accessed from Main Road, which has a 60mph speed limit and no footpath.

Robert Harrop, from Claybrooke Parva Parish Council, spoke at the meeting.

He said: “Demand will increase locally for schools and health services unless the gypsy and traveller community are expected to travel fur- ther afield.

“With the site where it is it will be difficult for them to integrate into the community.”

Eleanor Overton, spoke on behalf of the applicant. She said there were less stringent access rules on such sites and that the countryside location would help to meet the “specific cultural needs” of the gypsy and traveller community.

Councillors voted in favour of the application.