Three-pitch Gypsy and Traveller site approved despite concerns around road safety and landscape
A three-pitch Gypsy and Traveller site has been approved despite concerns around road safety and landscape harm.
South Kesteven District Council’s planning committee approved the application for agricultural land off Brant Road, west of Fulbeck, near Sleaford, on Thursday (October 15).
Applicant Messrs Birmingham was granted permission for three pitches to be established, each with two static caravans, two touring caravans and two dayrooms, alongside access, parking and landscaping.
The council received 15 objection letters with concerns over road safety, impact on the landscape and the flood risk.
During the meeting, Fulbeck Parish Councillor Gill Thornton warned that Brant Road had “hidden bends”, making it an unsuitable access route to the site.
She added: “Whenever the A17 has a crash – small or large – the route becomes a double highway for lorries and heavy goods vehicles – and this happens, I would say, once a week, sometimes more.
“It is unsuitable for any pedestrians, particularly children. There is no pedestrian refuge and the lane itself is not suitable for large amounts of traffic.”
Coun Penny Milnes (Independent – Loveden Heath) was concerned about the impact on a neighbouring business.
She added: “The application sits directly next to an established rural equine business, offering therapy for other disadvantaged groups.
“The impact of the noise, disturbance and lighting from this proposal will cause among other things the loss of a tranquil calm environment with stress to the horses and paddocks and loss of clients who value the tranquillity of the setting and the therapeutic services provided.
“This will threaten the local employment and economy, which should be given weight.”
However, planning officers said the benefits outweighed the potential harm and there were not strong enough reasons to refuse the application.
A district accommodation assessment identified a need for 40 Gypsy and Traveller pitches between 2021 and 2041, and members were told that the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable sites.
The applicant’s personal circumstances statement said the family needs more space because the Stragglethorpe site, where they have lived for years, is overcrowded.
They want to remain near relatives and keep their children at the same school.
Councillors resolved to approve the application, but added conditions to mitigate some of the concerns raised, including rerouting an internal access road to the western side, a 2.4 metre fence with hedging to be established and a condition that no commercial activity will be allowed.