Traveller fears for village (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Concern over unauthorised development in Ropley near Alresford

8:20am Wednesday 30th December 2009 in Alresford By Chris Harris

Traveller fears for village

FEARS are growing that travellers are about to move onto an unauthorised site in a Hampshire village.

Two caravans, hard-standing and a septic tank have already been installed without planning permission in a field at Ropley.

The issue, which prompted 100 villagers to attend a parish meeting, will be closely followed throughout the Winchester district with the city council soon to decide, as part of its planning development framework, where it might place new sites for travellers.

Villagers say farmer, Tom Hough, of Gilbert Street Farm, sold the 13 acres of agricultural land for a reported £150,000. Residents raised the alarm when the new landowner, believed to be a Mr J. Hughes, began moving a mobile home and caravan onto the plot.

It prompted East Hampshire District Council to serve a notice ordering the landowner not to bring any more caravans onto the site or to extend the hard-standing. The landowner has confirmed that a planning application will be submitted by January 6.

“There’s huge concern because noone knows what’s going on,” said resident, Peter Hutchings, speaking after the parish meeting. Another villager, who would only speak on condition of anonymity, said: “He has told the council he’s a gypsy and he’s allowed certain rights because he’s entitled to be housed.

“I suppose the villagers think if he gets permission for three or four caravans, there will be more down the line. One would hope the council will turn it down. But then it will go to appeal and an inspector might say that, because there’s not a legitimate site anywhere else in East Hampshire, you can move to Ropley.

“The perception is always that crime will suddenly go up and that there would be less places at the village school. People in Gascoigne Lane probably think it’s going to affect the value of their properties,” added the resident.

Parish councillor, George Brown, said: “There’s a lot of concern in the village about what might happen next, but we can’t pre-judge.”

Chris Murray, EHDC head of planning, confirmed that works on the site were unauthorised.

“A site visit has been carried out and the owner has been interviewed regarding his and his family’s circumstances and his proposals for the use of the site,” he said. “The owner has stated his intention to apply for planning permission to remain on the site and has appointed a planning consultant.”

He added that a temporary 28-day stop notice had been served to prevent any further changes while a planning application was submitted.

“If a planning application is not received, a decision will be made early in January as to what course of action to take.”

Matthew Green, of Green Planning Solutions, who is representing Mr Hughes, said an application to put three caravans and stables on the land would be submitted: “I’m very confident of getting planning approval. The site is in line with national policy,” he said.

He added that he felt his client’s case was strengthened by East Hampshire currently having a shortfall of 50 travellers’ pitches.

What do you think about this? Should other villages around Winchester be fearful too? Leave your comments below.