Landowner starts legal battle over greenfield site in Ropley (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Landowner starts legal battle over greenfield site in Ropley

10:40am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A CONTROVERSIAL landowner near Alresford has launched an appeal after being told to remove caravans from his field.

The owner of the site – a Mr J Hughes – made the move after East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) gave him until May 19 to clear the Ropley plot.

Villagers fear the field off Gascoigne Lane will become a travellers' site after two caravans and hard-standing were installed without authorisation before Christmas.

The council began its enforcement action because the landowner failed to submit a completed planning application.

Chris Murray, head of planning at EHDC, said the plans could not be considered until the applicant had shown what was being done with drainage.

Mr Murray said the appeal was a tactic to get the May 19 deadline extended. He said: “They have got nothing to lose and it buys them some time.”