Traveller site expansion refused near Chichester

Chichester District Council has refused planning permission for 22 traveller pitches at a site in Sidlesham.

The Melita Nursery site, in Chalk Lane, already contains more than 40 mobile homes despite only having permission for nine.

The retrospective application to extend permission to 22 was voted down unanimously during a planning committee meeting, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But a council report called the "unmet need" for traveller accommodation a "significant factor" in favour of the proposal.

Risk of future tidal flooding, over-development of the site and harm to biodiversity were some of the reasons it was refused, plus the council is already taking action over the number of mobile homes there.

A council report also said the site would fail to provide satisfactory living conditions for gypsy and travellers.

"When taken collectively the adverse impacts of the proposed development would significantly outweigh the benefits," it added.

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