Gipsy green belt plea in hands of minister

Controversial plans by a gipsy family to build on green belt land in South Staffordshire will be decided by a Government minister, it was revealed today.

Secretary of State for Local Government Eric Pickles has intervened in a row between the family and planners in the district. Mr Pickles has called in the controversial plan, for land in Calf Heath, near Shareshill, because it is a "significant development in the green belt".

He will now make the decision on whether to allow the development. The proposed proposal is the latest involving gipsy families in South Staffordshire to be called in.

It was announced in September that Mr Pickles was also interceding in a bid involving a site in Wolverhampton Road, Penkridge, which, if granted, will be the biggest single gipsy camp in the district.

The latest move involves an appeal by traveller Billy Rogers over whether his family should be allowed six pitches for nine caravans in Malthouse Lane. It was subject to a two-day planning inquiry in September and a decision was due to be made by the Bristol-based Planning Inspectorate this month.

But Mr Pickles believes the decision is so important, and will have such an impact on further gipsy site applications in South Staffordshire, that he has insisted on making the decision, which is now likely to come in the New Year. South Staffordshire councillor Bop Cope told the planning inquiry there were 100 pitches already in place in a 4km radius of

Calf Heath and that other parts of the region should take more of a share.

County councillor Veronica Downes, Penkridge representative, said part of South Staffordshire was being "targeted" for gipsy camps, waste plants and wind turbines.

Mr Rogers' family has permission for a gipsy camp at Hospital Lane, Cheslyn Hay, but wants to continue using the land in Calf Heath for extended family.

A gipsy and traveller accommodation assessment for the council has stated a need for 32 pitches in South Staffordshire by 2012, and 79 by 2026.

At least 27 gipsy families are seeking accommodation in the region. Today South Staffordshire Council spokesman Jamie Angus said: "This intervention by the Secretary of State takes the decision out of the Planning Inspectorate's hands."