Council approves plans at Gypsy and Traveller site

A family has been given permission to create more Gypsy and Traveller homes on the edge of a Cambridgeshire village.

The plans would mean a further three pitches for extended family members being added to the site at Hilltop Orchard in St Ives Road, Somersham.

Planning officers at Huntingdon District Council (HDC) recommended the application should be approved due to a shortage of Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the district.

However, Somersham Parish Council raised concerns that increasing the number of homes on the site would be an "overdevelopment".

During a development management meeting on Monday, parish councillor Bill Bruce said the development would "have an impact on the surrounding area".

He said the road infrastructure in the area was a problem, and that the parish council had concerns because it does not think the development was "in keeping" with the countryside and character of the surrounding area.

Mr Bruce added it was not because they were "anti-traveller" in the village.

Martin England, representing the family who applied for permission, said the site had been established for 10 years and provides the family with a home and base.

He said the proposed pitches had been designed in line with good practice for Gypsy and Traveller sites.

In response to councillors concerns, planning officers highlighted the site is screened by trees and bushes at the front.

Conservative councillor Eric Butler said the site had been used for many years and was "always tidy" and he was "happy" with the plans.

HDC Independent Group councillor Tom Sanderson said he was supportive of the application and believed issues raised by the parish council had already been dealt with.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the application was approved after councillors voted for it to be granted.

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