Travellers site saga to conclude

Crookmoss enforcement case set to close

Perth and Kinross Council has been given the green light to finally close the case surrounding an enforcement notice on a Kinross-shire travellers site – once all planning matters have been resolved.

Elected members were faced with the latest report on the Gypsy Travellers site at Crook of Devon, near Kinross, which was slapped with an enforcement notice in April 2014.

The Crookmoss site, which councillors are unable to visit as it is privately owned, was discussed at Wednesday’s planning and development management committee meeting.

Council officers confirmed that a sixth pitch had been confirmed at the site, and the occupant is aware they need planning permission, and that the permission would unlikely be approved.

However, after the report was approved, the case will be finally brought to a close – pending the resolution of existing planning matters on the site.

The site has been plagued with problems, including initially a lack of foul drainage infrastructure, and ward councillor Mike Barnacle noted problems with the site’s tidiness raised by local residents.

He said: “There is quite a lot of concern about the appearance of the site. If it was tidied, it would go a long way towards improving the relationship with the community.

“I have questions about the appearance, and I can’t visit the sight to clearly see it. This is a major concern for the community and I still feel there is general disquiet.”

SNP Councillor Bob Band highlighted the committee would be able to legally inspect the site from its perimeter, pointing out: “Access would not be necessary to sight the general grot.”

Cllr Barnacle added: “If only the enforcement officer is allowed to visit the site and not committee members or even local members, then the environs and general appearance of the site could be seen without visiting the site itself.

“This would ascertain the concerns of the community to improve the matters of the adequacy of landscaping and appearance of the site.”

The independent elected member proposed an amendment for the committee members to visit the site, without entering it.

However Depute Provost Willie Wilson replied: “This has been a long and drawn out saga. There are challenges, but these challenges will be met by the planning service and the enforcement service. A site visit isn’t going to take us anywhere.”

Cllr Barnacle’s amendment was outvoted by 10 to three.