MP ‘to monitor’ plan site
Villagers fear travellers will move on to the land near village
AN MP says he will be closely monitoring a site where a controversial planning application has been approved.
Plans for a stable block, an agricultural storage shed and an extension to a stable yard were given the go-ahead in Claybrooke Parva by Harborough District Council.
The Wells Close site was the subject of a high court injunction last year after work began before permission was granted.
The go-ahead was given last week despite the council receiving more than 600 objections. Opponents fear the site could be turned into an unauthorised travellers’ site.
Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, said he has raised questions in Parliament about the protections in place to protect the planning system from abuse, and has written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick.
Mr Costa said: “I share residents’ disappointment in the narrow decision to approve the application at Wells Close in Claybrooke.
“Understandably, given the site and landowner’s quite complex history, my constituents have long-standing concerns that the application in question may lead to the creation of a traveller site.
“It is not acceptable that the planning system should potentially be used in any way to circumvent the proper procedures.
“As such, I have written to the Secretary of State to seek reassurances the government will support local authorities in ensuring the planning system is robust and is not subject to any form of abuse.
“There is clearly a strong sense of concern among my constituents in Claybrooke and the surrounding villages, and I should like to reassure them I will continue to press this matter with the Government to ensure the planning system remains fair and transparent for those who wish to use it.
“With regard to the application at Wells Close, both my office and Harborough District Council will be monitoring the situation closely.
“I have every confidence that should any planning regulations be breached the district council will take the appropriate enforcement action where necessary.”