Travellers site on green belt rejected

Cannock Chase Council's planning committee have voted unanimously to reject the scheme next to High View, in Cannock Wood Road, Rawnsley, on the grounds that it is an inappropriate development in the green belt and the requirement to provide more gipsy and traveller sites did not outweigh that.

A petition had been signed by 74 neighbours and 16 letters of objection were lodged against the Quinn family's plans to demolish existing sheds and stables and construct a new stable block, use the land to site two mobile homes and a bathroom and utility block plus car parking area.

The land was previously used for grazing and stabling of horses.

Speaking at the planning committee meeting, Nick Bullock, chairman of Prospect Village Residents' Association said: "I am here to represent the views of the many people who have contacted me to object to this scheme.

"It is totally out of context and inappropriate in the green belt. Most people want it kept for equine stables. This type of development on the edge of an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty would not be aesthetically pleasing."

Cannock Chase has been told by Government it needs to provide between 28 and 35 traveller and gipsy sites by 2017, but is struggling to find appropriate sites, meaning applications that would normally not be considered may be granted exceptional status.

Alison Heine, agent for the applicant, told the committee that no business would be run from the site and it would be used solely as a residential site for the family.

But councillor Zaphne Stretton said: "I have been a supporter of travelling people but this is green belt land and I have reservations. As far as I am concerned it is a no-goer and I am moving refusal."