Shropshire planners admit to a gipsy site shortage
Controversial plans to create a traveller site in the countryside will help meet Shropshire Council's shortfall of providing pitches across the county, it has been claimed.
A public inquiry opened yesterday into whether the council's decision to oppose proposals for land beside the A41 in Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, should be overturned.
Government planning inspector Susan Heywood heard Shropshire Council did not have a five-year supply of deliverable gipsy and traveller sites in the county.
Planning officers for the council told the inquiry it currently has a shortfall of 47 pitches.
Agents working on behalf of the applicant, Paul Brooks, who wants to build pitches for four caravans on the site in Rosehill, said the development would meet the council's shortfall.
Matthew Green, of agent Green Planning Solutions LLP, said: "You have 47 outstanding. These four would go towards that.
"We will show this is an entirely acceptable site. The impact is acceptable in policy terms.
"We will show it's a sustainable site. The proposed occupants are homeless and indeed have children."
Karen Townend, planning officer for Shropshire Council, said: "The council accepts it does have a current shortfall. We're working towards our five-year-plan. The scale of what's proposed is harmful to the appearance of the area.
"It's a rural landscape and the council is trying to improve and protect it.
"The potential for any development on this site could affect wildlife.
"We expect traveller sites to have a local connection. These families are not known to our gipsy liaison officer."
Mr Brooks had his application for the site turned down by Shropshire Council, but he appealed the decision and was told a public inquiry would take place.
The council turned down the application in October last year using delegated powers after describing it as an "alien feature" which would be out of keeping with the local area.
Local residents objected to the scheme, earmarked for land at Adbo Farm, saying it was not in keeping with the area and too close to the main road.
Stoke-upon-Tern Parish Council also objected after fears of potential visual and noise impact.
The inquiry, at Market Drayton's Festival Drayton Centre, is expected to finish tomorrow.
