GYPSY FAMILY WINS SITE FIGHT DESPITE A 400-NAME PETITION
Planning inspector rules in their favour
A GYPSY family have won their battle to stay on Green Belt land.
John Price’s request to turn land at Station Road, Newchapel, into a residential caravan site was rejected by Newcastle Borough Council.
But Mr Price appealed against the decision and planning inspector Andrew Mcglone has now ruled in his favour.
The family moved onto the site this year. Mr Price and his son had previously spent time living away from his wife and daughters because of a lack of alternative space, Mr Mcglone was told at the appeal.
Mr Price also spoke of his extensive efforts to find an alternative site over the past few years.
Mr Mcglone said in his decision notice: “Overall, there is a lack of alternative accommodation available. Thus, the only alternative open to the appellant and his family would be to live at the roadside. This factor adds significant weight in favour of the proposal.
“The best interests of the children are a primary consideration in the appeal, though not necessarily determinative.
“Three of the children attend primary school. Their attendance is said to be good, and they have each made friends there. The intention is for each of them to go on to secondary school.
“The other child was in school before the start of pandemic, but has not attended since. They receive private tutoring for English and maths at a weekend while they are waiting to hear that a place has become available.
“The children’s best interests would be served by having a settled base from which to access education and maintain their established social network.”
More than 180 people sent objections to Newcastle Borough Council in response to the application, as did Kidsgrove Town Council. There was also a petition signed by 400 people.
Objectors said there were already too many houses in the area and the needs of one child did not outweigh the reasons against granting planning permission. There were also fears that it would set a precedent for more encampments in the Green Belt.
Mr Mcglone said: “Residents are concerned about the co-existence of the occupants within the settled community. But, subject to imposition of planning conditions to control the use and to secure satisfactory details such as hard and soft landscaping, I consider there is no reason to believe the occupants would not co-exist.
“An existing brick building is to the rear of the site and some of the land was covered in hardstanding before the appellant moved onto the land.
“That said, the proposal has and would cause visual harm to the openness of the Green Belt.
“The appeal scheme would be an effective use of previously developed derelict land. It would also not encroach into the countryside as it is/would be contained by the road, neighbouring plots of land and by a rear boundary consistent with the ribbon of development on the eastern side of the road.”
Newcastle Borough Council’s planning committee is due to consider the appeal decision at its meeting today.
A report to the committee said: “The inspector considered that, for a number of reasons, a temporary permission up to the end of 2025 would be a proportionate approach to the legitimate aim of protecting the environment and the Green Belt.
“It would also strike an appropriate balance between the rights of the individuals and the protection of matters of acknowledged public interest.”