News

Traveller site expansion plans expected to go ahead

By Laura Herbert
January 14, 2013

Plans to expand a Traveller site on to green belt land are expected to be given the go-ahead on Wednesday.

An application to add 0.58 hectares of land to Twyford Orchards Traveller site, in London Road, will be discussed by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee at the civic offices in Shute End from 7pm.

Traveller site to expand into green belt despite "dangerous precedent"

Plans include increasing the number of pitches from 16 to 20, to tackle overcrowding on the site.

Travellers welcome £1.2 million site expansion plan

The extension will house families living on the site and is not intended to allow more people to move to the council-owned Twyford Orchards.

A report about the plans states that although the site is within the green belt and a Gypsy and Traveller site is not appropriate development for the land, the plans are classed as special circumstances and are recommended for approval.

In the report Ruscombe Parish Council, which is objecting to the plans, states: “While Ruscombe Parish Council has every sympathy for the impact on living conditions for residents, there is resentment amongst some other parish residents that Travellers have the right to expect accommodation for their extended families – a right not available to everyone.”

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Most recent user comments 6 of 6

Ponerana, Paul Daniels... and others - unfortunately all your suggestions are totally illegal. Whilst I totally understand the sentiments behind your statements we cannot break the law and thereforecannot do any of the things you suggest.

Cllr Keith Baker
19/01/2013 at 10:38

http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2125147_luxury_home_farm_plan_refused

Jeppo
14/01/2013 at 18:17

Do we take it that Wokingham will no longer be hounding the garden centre on the A4 as they have only done exactly the same thing. If you can build on green belt then what's the problem. At least the garden centre is supplying jobs and a service.

parlovero, Earley
14/01/2013 at 17:42

If they are indeed travelers why are they setting up permanent sites? It would also seem that the vast majority of sites are in the SE of England, the most affluent area of the UK, if they really want to see up permanent residencies they should either rent or buy a property like the rest of the UK populous.

Little Voice
14/01/2013 at 16:17

Is there any way of revoking planning permission if evidence is found of serious criminality? e.g. firearms offences.

Paul Daniels' reattached finger.
14/01/2013 at 15:59

It needs to be understood that traveller sites are provided for travellers and not for people who want a permanent site for a caravan home. Any expansion should be on the clear understanding that occupants of extra sites must move on within a year and not return until they have lived elsewhere for at least the time that they occupied the site.