Let me build 12 houses or I’ll move gipsies on to the land, developer tells homeowners
A PROPERTY developer threatened to move gipsies on to a piece of land if people living opposite did not support his plans for 12 homes on the plot.
Wayne Rushton said he would act if he failed to get planning permission for the project on a quiet cul de sac.
In a letter sent to homeowners, he said if it was refused, he and business partner David Haynes would allow the grassland to become overgrown and would ‘invite some of our gipsy friends to station themselves on the land for as long as they wish.
‘We will provide a new water supply for the gipsies,’ he added in the letter sent to all 32 homes in Pinel Close, in Broughton Astley, Leicestershire. Bizarrely, after listing his threats, he went on to offer anyone who supported the project £250 cash.
Residents said they were shocked and horrified to receive the letter and contacted the police and local council. But many were also bemused as the land is designated public open space, meaning development is very unlikely to be approved.
One said: ‘We couldn’t believe it. We thought it must be a joke, or he was mad. But it was quite worrying too. It was threatening.’
A homeowner, who also did not want to be named, said: ‘Initially, I was in a bit of disbelief that anyone in their right mind would even do that, and then I was upset.
‘That was the first contact we’ve ever had with these people. I don’t really know what he’s playing at.
Another said: ‘We were aware back in November that the land was coming up for sale and we contemplated trying to purchase it ourselves to secure it as open space. It is always a fear it might get developed.’
The land was included as a designated public open space when the houses were built 20 years ago. It is understood Mr Haynes paid just £4,500 for the plot, which is just over an acre, last year.
Residents always believed it would stay as public open space, hence their disbelief at Mr Rushton’s letter, which began: ‘I hereby confirm our intentions should we FAIL to obtain planning permission for around 12 dwellings...’ before listing his threats.
The letter, which also included architect’s plans for the homes, went on: ‘Regardless of our strong stance on this matter, we hope you will support our pending planning application and avoid us having to take any of the above actions.’
It then spelt out the £250 offer for any householder who wrote a letter of support to the council but days later Mr Rushton sent out a second letter, taking back his cash offer and making no mention of his gipsy threats.
In it he said: ‘It has been brought to my attention that the offer of £250 could be misconstrued as a bribe rather than compensation for loss of amenity space, we therefore withdraw the offer.’
Residents say they have been trying to contact him but to no avail. Last night, he was tracked down to a flat in Cannock, Staffordshire, where he claimed he was drunk when he wrote the letter after being told by a local councillor not to bother applying for planning permission.
‘He [the councillor] said he was sat on a planning committee and there is no way they would allow it,’ Mr Rushton, 54, said.
‘It put my back up. I must admit, when I wrote the letter I was under the influence of a drink. I regretted the letter as soon as I sent it. I
‘We thought it must be a joke’
should have just bit my tongue.’ He added that he had asked his architect to revise the plan and would ask residents what they wanted to see on the land.
But Harborough District Council said any planning application that resulted in the loss of public open space was likely to be refused by the authority. A spokesman added: ‘We have written to the landowner stating that the letter he sent is highly inappropriate and undermines the fundamental principles of the planning system.’
Leicestershire Police said no criminal offence had been committed.
Mr Haynes said he had no idea about the letter or the plans.