Land north of Pools Road, Wilburton, Ely, Cambridgeshire

change of use of land to 10 residential Gypsy/Traveller pitches each with a residential static caravan and one touring caravan (temporary or permanent), works to access and formation of hardstanding for occupation by the applicant and members of their family

Authority: East Cambridgeshire District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Hearing
Development: caravan-gypsy · Change of use
Inspector: Price J

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
whether the site would provide safe access, and be within a reasonable distance of regularly-required services and facilities

What decided it

The substantial harm to the character and appearance of the countryside outweighed the benefits of meeting unmet Traveller accommodation need and the appellants' personal circumstances.

The benefits of meeting unmet Gypsy/Traveller accommodation need and the appellants' personal/family circumstances were outweighed by the substantial harm to the character and appearance of the countryside and the resulting conflict with the development plan as a whole.

Plan policies cited: Policy ENV 1, Policy HOU 9, Policy GROWTH 2, Policy COM 7

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
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Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

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