Gypsy family gets approval for caravans

A gypsy family has been granted planning permission to have three extra static caravans on their site in Biddenden.

The proposal was supported by nine votes to four by Ashford Borough Council’s planning committee last month following a discussion which, at times, could be described as chaotic.

Steve Waghorn said his application for Rose Garden Paddock on Hareplain Road would help his family care for disabled 17-yearold son who suffered a stroke at birth.

He told members at the meeting on Wednesday, July 31 at the civic centre: “His needs are more complex now than they were because he’s now an adult rather than a child – my daughter needs to be there to help their disabled mum and me with his complex needs.

“There are no new people moving to the site – the people we’re actually asking to live in these new caravans already live there, so there will be no extra traffic.”

Andrew Furley addressed the committee on behalf of 28 residents objecting to the proposal.

He added: “The surrounding area has tight restrictions of no new housing or increased number of dwellings to preserve the low-density population of the area.

“This development is in direct contrast to this.”

Some members wanted to impose a condition which meant only the Waghorn family could live at the site, calling for a deferral to explore the option despite being told by officers that it was not possible.

The motion to support, however, was put forward first and supported by the majority of the committee.

Cllr Brendan Chilton (Lab) said: “It seems to me this is not a new site, it’s simply an intensification of an already standing one.

“There may well be a higher concentration of gypsy travellers in this area, but there’s also an equally high density of nongypsy travellers too.”

Earlier in the debate, ward councillor Cllr Neil Bell (Con) was forced to apologise to the planning committee after handing out private information to councillors about the borough’s gypsy population as part of his presentation.