Planning permission for Norfolk traveller site refused by council
Planning permission for a new Gypsy and traveller site in a county has been refused by a council. King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council turned down the proposed development on Station Road, West Dereham, Norfolk, which would have created space for 10 static caravans and 10 touring caravans.The applicant said the scheme would make a "valuable contribution" to the identified need for more Gypsy and traveller pitches in the borough.On Friday the authority ruled the density of the development would cause harm to the area's "rural locality".
More than 100 objections were recorded against the plan, with concerns raised over the scale of the site and increased traffic. Among those opposing the development was Terry Jermy, the Labour MP for South West Norfolk, and West Dereham Parish Council. Some objectors raised that planning permission for a similar scheme had been made in 2024 and was turned down.
Rural location
The King's Lynn Internal Drainage Board opposed the development because of concerns over how waste water generated from the site would be managed. The agent for the applicant, SJM Planning, said the risk of flooding on the site was "low" and that the land was not located within an environmentally sensitive area. King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council previously identified a need for 100 new pitches for Gypsy and travellers, 76 of those are expected to be needed in the next five years. SJM Planning said the site was within three miles of a number of schools and that road access to nearby towns was good via the A10 and A134. The council's planners raised concerns about where residents of the site would access schools, doctors and employment opportunities. The authority said planning permission was refused on the grounds that the area was very rural with a "clear lack of services and infrastructure within the locality".The scale of the site was also described as "unduly prominent, intense and incongruous" and if approved would be "causing harm to the environment".
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
26 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Tyson Fury among THOUSANDS of travellers at Appleby as horse fair kicks off TODAY – with locals locking down village
Thousands of families have descended upon the town for the 340-year-old fair HORSING AROUND Tyson Fury among THOUSANDS of travellers at Appleby as horse fair kicks off TODAY – with locals locking down village Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BOXER Tyson Fury has been spotted making his way to the historic Appleby Horse Fair as the annual event kicks off today. The Gypsy King, 36, will join tens of thousands of visitors who have flooded into the rural village of Appleby-in-Westmoorland, Cumbria, ahead of the festivities. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Tyson was spotted on a horse drawn cart as he made his way to the event Credit: MCPIX LTD 9 Travellers ride horses in the nearby River Eden as part of a long-held tradition Credit: LNP 9 Travellers have lined the roads ahead of the six-day event Credit: LNP He was spotted travelling by horse-drawn cart through Knutsford, Cheshire, as he makes his way to the fair. Locals are bracing for chaos as hundreds of campervans and horse-drawn carriages descended upon their rural town for the annual event. Cumbria Police confirmed 30 people had already arrested in the general area as part of an operation ahead of the fair. The six-day event typically features traditional music, dancing, horse riding, market stalls and horse sales. Traffic in the area ground to a standstill as visitors from the gypsy, roma and travelling community lined the streets. Huge queues started forming along the roads as they waited to enter the campsites. Families and their horses normally descend from miles away to attend the 340-year-old fair. It falls on the first weekend of June and is recognised as the largest of its kind in Europe. Horsemen and women have been seen riding their horses in the nearby River Eden as part of a long-held tradition. The annual gathering dates back to 1685 and is under the protection of a charter granted by James II. 9 Roughly 10,000 travellers are expected to descend on the village Credit: LNP 9 Traffic ground to a halt as horse-drawn carriages lined the roads Credit: NNP 9 Locals have braced for chaos and disruption during the festivities Credit: NNP By the 1900s it had evolved into an event for Gypsies and Travellers. There remains a huge police presence in the area, with officers on standby ahead of potential chaos and violence. Narrow country lanes leading to the village have been bursting with horses and caravans in the build-up to the traveller meet-up. In 2020, the fair was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic, but huge crowds have returned to the event in recent years. Seven people were arrested at the 2021 meet-up, but the chaos didn't dampen spirits for the hundreds at the historical celebration. Some locals have closed down their pubs and services in protest. Fed-up residents living in the neighbouring village of Gargrave even drew up battle plan in preparation. They have complained of a spike in crime and anti-social behaviour with human excrement found in bushes, trees hacked down and scorch marks found on the village greens. Last year, more than 60 pick-up trucks and horse-drawn caravans descended on the village, with loud generators running throughout the night. 9 It dates back to 1685 and is protected by a royal charter granted by James II Credit: Getty 9 The fair is recognised as the largest in Europe Credit: LNP
Powys County Times
2 days ago
- Powys County Times
Millions in funding secured for transport and roads in Powys
Over £10 million has been secured in levelling-up funding to improve roads and transport. MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, Steve Witherden has announced £10m secured for 'vital economic regeneration projects' in Powys. Ministers have confirmed Powys will receive an allocation of up to £10,797,949.27 in 2025/26 as part of this Government's economic regeneration initiatives, the largest amount provided to a local authority in this round of funding. The funding, which comes as part of the Levelling Up Fund scheme, will enable Powys County Council to start work on projects to boost connectivity and support the tourist economy. The scheme includes support for rights of way refurbishment and road resurfacing as well as measures focused on active travel. Powys County Council bosses told the County Times that further details on specific projects would be revealed in the coming weeks. 'I'm really delighted we've been able to secure this funding,' said Mr Witherden. 'This money will go a long way towards improving our community infrastructure across Montgomeryshire. 'I was elected last year on a promise to deliver the vital upgrades to infrastructure that we need both locally and nationally after many years of decline. 'This money will improve the state of our roads, broaden connectivity, and help to boost the local economy. 'I will continue working hard to get a fair deal for people in Powys and make sure that we build on this progress.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app The government has said that these projects will 'make a meaningful contribution to strengthening community infrastructure and connectivity in Montgomeryshire'. Simon Lightwood MP, Minister for Local Transport, said: 'This money is proof that this Labour government is serious about bringing change all across the country. Creating sustainable, local growth is a key priority for this Labour government and this funding will help deliver that. 'Improving local transport and connectivity will make a massive difference by making it easier for people to travel to work and education, visit friends and family or access vital appointments. 'I'm grateful to Steve Witherden for his constructive support and will continue to work closely with him as we deliver our Plan for Change.'
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Press and Journal
Fifteen-caravan Traveller convoy pitches-up at Inverdee playing fields
A 15-strong caravan camp has set up on Aberdeen playing fields as part of a summer holiday tour of Scotland. The Traveller convoy settled temporarily at the Inverdee playing fields, close to businesses such as Goals and Harvester, and arrived on Sunday June 1. Fifteen caravans along with towing vehicles were spotted on the large cricket pitch next to Great Southern Road. It is understood their arrival proved a surprise to local cricketers, who were forced to call of matches at the weekend. The Press and Journal went down to the site today to speak with one of the families, who told us they were visiting the city on holiday. They were in Aberdeen after previous stops in Edinburgh and Dundee, with the Highlands their next destination. According to one of the Travellers, the group had never stopped in the Granite City before but were pleasantly surprised by how friendly Aberdonians were. He said: 'We always try to find somewhere that is not going to be an issue for anyone, but it is getting harder every year to find a suitable site to set up on. 'We have passed through Aberdeen but never stopped. The people are friendly.' They had been on the site for only a day, arriving around lunchtime the day before. And it was something of a tight squeeze, due to the corner leading down to the pitches from the main road. One of the Travellers told us they 'don't want to upset anyone' and said they were only staying in the north-east for a week before moving on. The Travellers said they had been doing this for several years and found Aberdeen 'much nicer than Dundee'. Interactions between the adults and the young children at the site suggested a loving family unit. The caravans were spread out over the cricket pitch but all 15 families travel as one group. The travellers' arrival comes shortly after another group set up at Aberdeen Beach. We were told the two groups were separate and did not travel together. Within the Aberdeen city area, there few official Gypsy/Traveller sites, with the sole council facility at Clinterty, near the border with Aberdeenshire. It offers 21 permanent pitches, with a waiting list for spaces, and no provision for temporary stays. We also spoke to nearby football centre Goals, who told us the Travellers had asked to use their facilities but were refused permission. He went on to say that a group of cricketers who frequently use the ground were unable to play due to the travellers' presence on the pitch. They will not be able to use the playing field until the group vacate. The Goals worker also said that dog walkers had complained about the travellers' pets roaming freely around the area. A member of management at Harvester confirmed they had asked the group not to make use of the business' water tap after three individuals began filling water tanks. Its toilet facilities, they said, were also being used regularly. An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the encampment and we will progress action to have it removed as soon as possible. 'We are committed to engaging with the traveller community to address accommodation challenges they face.'
