A traveller site on Coventry’s doorstep that was extended without planning permission is set to be allowed to stay.
This is despite it being described as a ‘blatant intentional unauthorised development within the Green Belt’ on land south west of Foxons Corner at Fosse Way, Monks Kirby in Rugby.
An existing gypsy and traveller site has been extended by three residential pitches with spaces for vehicle parking – without official planning permission.
So a retrospective application now has to be decided by Rugby Borough Council and it is being recommended that it is approved.
Both Withybrook Parish Council and Monks Kirby Parish councils have lodged objections, citing concerns that the development is – intentionally unauthorised as well as access and highways issues and that the site is not of sufficient size to allow adequate outdoor amenity space or privacy for residents.
However, according to a borough council planning committee report, the council cannot demonstrate its locally set target for Gypsy and Traveller provision across the borough in its current Local Plan.
The latest assessment concluded that there is a minimum requirement for 94 additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches across Rugby Borough over the period 2024/25 to 2041/42. Of this, 35 are required in the first five years.
The report states that the council has a shortfall of 16 pitches.
“The Council is working towards the adoption of a new local plan that would replace the current Rugby Borough Council Local Plan adopted 2019,” the report states.
“The Submission Local Plan would see the borough no longer having a shortfall for Gypsy and Traveller pitches. Significant weight is attributed to the contribution this proposal would make to addressing a recognised need for more private Gypsy and Traveller sites at the local level at this current time.”
Loss of Green Belt
The report states that the works carried out without permission have resulted in a loss of the Green Belt in spatial terms.
“The caravans, building and fencing has a significant visual impact in comparison to the previously open appearance,” it says.
“The pitches would have a lesser visual impact than the caravans currently on site.
“Much of the site is screened for half of the year with deciduous trees and plants surrounding the site. The development would have an impact visually on the Green Belt, however, this would be an extension to an existing site which would reduce the harm when compared to the creation of a new site.”
Personal circumstances, not detailed in the report, have been demonstrated to the council.
“The proposal will provide a settled base and a home for its occupiers, and the alternative would highly likely be a roadside existence for the applicants or ‘doubling up’ on other pitches across the borough,” the report explains.
“The applicant and their family identify as being Gypsy and Travellers. They therefore wish to reside on the site to enable them to remain within their family and community and continue to practice their cultural behaviours.
“The proposal provides the applicant and their family with a home within their cultural and familial links which carries substantial weight in favour of the application. The personal circumstances outlined in the documents submitted and considered by the local planning authority provide moderate weight in favour of the application.”
The report adds that the development does not detrimentally impact on the residential amenity of residents living outside of the site to a level which warrants a refusal on this aspect alone, and the relationship and level of residential amenity for both the applicant and those living within the site is considered acceptable to all parties affected.
In regards to highway safety, there are no concerns on this part and WCC Highways department offered a stance of no objection subject to a number of conditions, and parking can be provided to each of the pitches.
‘Very special circumstances’
The report concludes: “On balance, protecting the Green Belt is a matter of great importance, however, the cumulative considerations of personal circumstances and the council’s unmet need would clearly outweigh the totality of harm identified.
“Accordingly, the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development have been demonstrated
The final decision will be made by members of the council’s planning committee at a meeting on August 5..
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