'High-quality' home plan for Gypsy site fails again

In November 2022 Mr M Lee lodged a planning application with Powys County Council to build a single-storey one-bedroom house at Woodlands, Llanddew, a couple of miles north of Brecon.

A Gypsy and Traveller site for one family had been established there a decade ago.

The application would replace the caravans and utility block at the site with a “high-quality” rural dwelling for the family.

The application was rejected by council planners in September 2023 because the proposed development is in the open countryside and was “not a logical extension to the settlement of Llanddew”.

Llanddew lies 600 metres to the west of the site.

After the rejection, Mr Lee appealed to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) overturn the decision.

As part of her deliberations planning inspector Nicola Gulley visited the site in on September 9.

Ms Gulley said: “The appellant contends that the appeal site constitutes previously developed land because it has planning permission for use as a Gypsy and Traveller site, and that the proposal would accord with the aims and objectives of national policy in that it would promote sustainable development in the countryside and meet a locally identified need for housing.

”Ms Gully agreed that the appeal site is an authorised Gypsy and Traveller site and that it is lawfully occupied. But she explained that planning guidance does not provide the “same level of support” for “bricks and mortar” accommodation to be provided in the same location especially if they are outside of settlement boundaries.

Ms Gulley continued: “I am conscious that the proposal would result in the construction of new built development in the open countryside which would have a greater level of permanence than that associated with the existing development.

"It is clear from the submitted evidence, that the proposal would not result in the construction of a new dwelling intended to meet a defined need in accordance with national policy but would instead provide a private residence solely for the use of the appellant and his partner.”

Due to this she believed the proposal did not meet the criteria set out in the relevant planning policies.

Ms Gulley added: “The proposal would result in the construction of unjustified development within the open countryside.

“In my view, the development would also not be justified by the policy framework that exists for Gypsy and Traveller sites.

“I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.”

The appeal decision was noted by councillors at a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning committee on Thursday, October 31.