Hundreds object to planned expansion of Birchanger Lane travellers’ site which could double in size
Plans to double the size of a travellers’ site in Birchanger to allow up to 24 static caravans have been met with fierce opposition from villagers.
An application has been submitted to planning authority Uttlesford District Council (UDC) for another six pitches, each with two caravans, and a covered communal amenity space on Green Belt land to the north of Birchanger Lane.
Residents reported preparation work is already under way to develop the land ahead of any permission granted. Lorries have been dumping hardcore at the site.
More than 200 letters opposing the expansion have been lodged with UDC, and Conservative district councillor Ray Gooding, who co-represents the Stansted South and Birchanger ward, has asked for the application to be ‘called in’ for councillors to decide.
“The application is to add more caravans and more fixed homes, and they’re starting work regardless,” he said. “We’ve had mountains of rubble delivered. It’s a real worry that it’s going to be expanded.”
Birchanger Parish Council has “strongly objected” and said that despite earlier refusals being overturned on appeal by a Government inspector, which allowed the site to be established six years ago, further encroachment into the Green Belt was unacceptable.
In its objection letter to UDC it said: “The site is within the Green Belt. The NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) clearly states ‘inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved except in very special circumstances’. There are no very special circumstances which would justify approval of this application and it is another attempt to destroy the Green Belt around Birchanger.
“In 2018, the applicants were given planning permission to erect stables on an adjoining area of Green Belt. However, stables were not built, but instead caravans were illegally moved onto the site.
“Enforcement action was taken, but the inspector found there were very special circumstances, specifically the health and educational needs of the traveller families, and the appeal was allowed, with certain conditions.”
At a further appeal in January, the inspector granted permission for the travellers to remain on site. Conditions included limiting the number of static caravans to 12, and only 13 named individuals and their resident dependants have permission to reside there.
“In both cases, only the six named traveller families residing on the site would be allowed to remain there,” said Birchanger Parish Council.
“There are no special circumstances to allow this Green Belt intrusion. There are no families already living on these proposed pitches. Indeed, the site is extremely uneven and would need major work carried out to level it, destroying more flora and fauna.”
The parish council also feared the expansion would bring Birchanger “within almost touching distance of Bishop’s Stortford” and said the onus was on UDC to provide pitches elsewhere in the district, not on Green Belt land.
Neighbouring East Herts Council has raised no objection. In its submission, senior planning officer Maya Cullen said: “It is considered that the proposed new landscaping, bund and existing screening along the site boundaries and the A120 highway verge would provide sufficient screening and the proposal would not likely be highly visible from within the district, nor would it harm the character and appearance of the area within East Herts district.”
