Plans for Somerset village’s second gypsy site approved

Plans to create a second gypsy site in a Somerset village have been approved.

The green light has been given to a new traveller site at Pitney, near Langport. Somerset Council has approved an application on behalf of Dale Smith seeking to build a new gypsy site with a mobile home, day room and touring caravan on land north of Gore Lane, a short distance to the west of the village of Pitney.

The planning application drew a lot of attention, with 79 public comments received. There was a mixed reaction from respondents, with 66 objections and 11 letters of support.

A previous application to convert the site into two gypsy pitches was refused in August 2019. At that time, South Somerset District Council deemed that the open countryside site was an "unsustainable location" and the proposals would have "a significant adverse impact on landscape character", adding that the location was also "at risk of surface water flooding".

However, Somerset Council has now approved the latest application. A decision notice states: "The proposal is acceptable as it respects the character of the site and its surroundings, and has no detrimental impact on local ecology, residential amenity or highway safety."

Planning documents state "there is no reason as to why the [proposed] site should not enjoy a peaceful co-existence with the local community". The documents add that the proposed site "ensures that the residents are not living on unauthorised encampments".

A response to the application from Pitney Parish Council stated that "the council were unanimous in that the application could not be supported as it currently stood". The response adds: "Flooding and drainage were a real concern.

"It was felt that there were sewerage risks that had to be mitigated and that the sewerage system would have to be completely sealed to avoid leaking, particularly given historical flooding at the site. Height added to the day room by the need to raise it adequately above ground level to avoid flooding would affect the total height and it was felt that the site was unsuitable to avoid flooding the dayroom. Whilst not objecting outright there is not enough information regarding mitigating flooding and sewerage leakage to support the application as it currently stands."

Mixed reaction to planning application

Writing in support of the application, Samantha Daniells, of Glastonbury, said: "I fully support this having personally known the applicants for many years. I know of them to be respectful, hardworking and upstanding members of the public, who's only wish is to give their young children a settled home while they attend the local school."

James Watterson, of Wells, also supported the application, and wrote: "The planning proposal for a gypsy site in the village will obviously raise concerns for local residents. However the landowner is proud of his family roots.

"I think people are worried about people moving in and out, also overcrowding the said land - I know for certain that Dale wants the dwelling for his young family to flourish and them only. On a personal note, Dale Smith is a model family man and has kept myself in work for many years now."

Also writing in support, Jodie Robertson, of Drayton, said: "They are a young family with children that attend High Ham Primary School. They would just like to have a fixed address to bring up their children keeping to their traditional life while still being a part of the settled community.

"Dale is a well respected bricklayer and has won national awards for his brickwork. Dale is also a coach and sponsor for Somerton FC under 9s."

However, there were many objections to the proposal. Sarah Perry, of Pitney, wrote: "There is already a gypsy site in the parish of Pitney. If a second site was to be approved it would put the village at the top of the list in the UK in terms of gypsy sites per household.

"The proposed site is in a flood zone. I was born and bred in the village and have lived there on an off for 43 years and that area of the village (this field included) is very often flooded in the winter months."

Hazel Kershaw, also of Pitney, objected to the proposals, writing: "The deployment of a cess pit to manage the waste effluent from the site will be difficult to install due to the high water table and could be flooded during periods of high rain fall. Servicing the pit will result in an increase in heavy traffic to and from the site.

"Emptying the tank will result in unacceptable smell for neighbouring properties and given the high level of management required, along with close proximity of a water course which serves the Somerset Levels, is considered to be an unacceptable means of waste management to prevent the release of phosphates on to the Levels."

Objecting to the proposals, John Parker, also of Pitney, wrote: "The development would sit in the Green Belt, altering the boundary, which should only happen under exceptional circumstances. Pitney already has a site for five gypsy and traveller families and statistically this puts Pitney at almost 30 times higher than the national average."

References

1. ^{^} New trendy brewery taproom coming to Somerset farm as plans approved (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Dillington House: Contents of much-loved Somerset stately home sold at lively auction that 'surpassed expectations' (www.somersetlive.co.uk)