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The land in Bearwood Road where the caravans would be built
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Gypsy caravan objectors cause 'irrational fear'

By Lewis Rudd
March 10, 2010

Neighbours concerned about a proposed static travellers site in Wokingham have no reason for “irrational fear”, an agent representing the gypsy proposing the development has said.

More than 200 residents living in and around Bearwood Road have been making their feelings known in recent weeks about plans to site eight caravans on land along the road at its junction with Chestnut Avenue.

Gypsy site planned for land

However, Matthew Green, of Green Planning Solutions in Shropshire, which is representing the applicant, Felix Cash, has told The Wokingham Times how the blueprints are above board and conform to local planning regulations.

Mr Cash has asked planning bosses at Wokingham Borough Council to consider his request to turn the derelict land into a facility which will provide homes, utility rooms and hard standing for the gypsy community.

Residents, however, believe the site is not suitable for such a development and some have accused the council of pressing on with the plans without giving them sufficient notice last month.

Extra time to have say on gypsy site

Some claim letters explaining the application never made it through their front doors, prompting the council to extend its consultation deadline for a further week.

Various homeowners in the area have also contacted The Wokingham Times anonymously to suggest approving such a development could raise the fear of crime level in the area.

With the closing date for comments passing last Friday, the council has received 206 responses from local residents.

Mr Green, however, believes suggestions the site would bring trouble to the area, if approved, are unreasonable.

He said: “The planning systems exists for reasons that people have the opportunity to complain.

“This application is acceptable in its proposed location and meets all appropriate guidelines in the local planning policies.

“We have worked on many applications of this type in the past and it is clear to us that the big idea of those wanting to complain is to cause irrational fear.

“It would be foolish of the council to object to this development because of concerns it might cause problems with anything but the local landscaping.”

The application is expected to be discussed by the council’s planning committee later in the year.

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Its changing the structure of Woosehill and Bearwood Road - I believe that Mr Green of the planning company would not hold the same sentiment if the same were to happen at the end of his own street in Shropshire.

Vic1
29/03/2010 at 13:51

CMA - I think you've just summed up what irrational fear is.

There was a shooting at a gypsy camp site last year. But that's the only incident like that I've ever heard of around here and yet you're acting as if all gypsies/travellers are gun toting maniacs!

That's irrational fear!

Doc Poodle
10/03/2010 at 17:05

Someone was knocked down by a car at the end of my road last year.

Does that mean an increase in car accidents will happen at the end of all roads ?

unionworkeruk, London
10/03/2010 at 13:17

Wasn't there a shooting at the caravan site at Nine Mile Ride in the last year, which was a gypsy site?

I don't think the fears of increased crime are irrational.