Objectors fighting plans for gypsy caravan site on edge of Gnosall

The proposal for land at Radmore Lane, Gnosall, has come forward more than a decade after a previous application was refused permission by Stafford Borough Council.

More than 260 people objected to that application in 2011, which was rejected because it was not demonstrated that there was an overriding need to develop the site in open countryside. There were also concerns that the plans would result in the loss of greenfield land and harm the appearance of the rural area.

Now 248 people have objected to the latest proposals for a private Romany Gypsy site for one family, with a day room and no more than two mobile homes and four touring caravans.

MP Sir Bill Cash, Gnosall Parish Council and campaign group Grid (Gnosall Resists Indiscriminate Development) are among the objectors.

Sir Bill said: “The proposed development is unsuitable and not in keeping with nearby dwellings and the rural character of the area and would result in a loss of green land. This type of development on open countryside would be visually detrimental to the surrounding area and would be clearly visible in the local landscape.

“The proposed development would exacerbate the existing traffic problems on the A518 and the site would be accessed via an unlit junction on a section of the road which has a 60mph speed limit. The site entrance is on a tight bend off Radmore Lane, which is a single track country lane. It is unsuitable for heavy vehicles towing mobile homes and caravans.”

The parish council said: “The applicant is already accommodated in Donnington so there is no welfare case to consider. Even if such an argument were mounted there are at least 36-39 Stafford Borough Council sites available.

“There is no overriding need demonstrated in this location. A greenfield site in a rural area should not be used for a residential gypsy site. There are very likely to be suitable sites on brownfield or previously used land nearer to the urban areas (of) Stafford Borough.”

A Glendower Close resident said: “This is a completely wrong proposal to try and enforce on an award winning picturesque village. The proposed site is clearly visible from the A518 and will have a visual impact on anyone approaching the village of Gnosall.

“This is a development which will cause an intrusion into the green fields and countryside which separates Gnosall from Newport. There is no precedence for this totally unnecessary application and it will certainly be a permanent blot on the landscape for generations of the local community and everyone driving into rural Staffordshire.

“We travel on the A518, passing the the proposed development and we have observed a significant increase in traffic on this stretch of the A518. This is no doubt due in part to the increase in our local population using their vehicles.

“The site is rural agricultural land where sheep may safely graze without electricity, mains water or human effluent disposal facilities. The installation of a septic tank would require drainage extending onto the adjoining agricultural land. Additionally there will be a significant increase in the collection of recycling waste from the residents and visitors.”

A Radmore Lane resident said: “Safety would be compromised on the adjoining road network by nature of the traffic the site would generate, inadequate turning provision in Radmore Lane and off the A518.

“Since 2011 there is even more traffic on the A518 due to Gnosall housing developments and have been many more serious accidents, meaning that there is even more reason this time to refuse the application than in 2011. Increase in traffic makes this application dangerous to the community as well as the applicants and their families.”

But there have also been seven letters of support sent to the council.

A Coton resident said: “There’s no difference between a few transit vans towing a caravan and the dozens of massive tractors towing huge trailers and assorted farm machinery that use this road all the time. And caravans don’t spread mud all over the road unlike the tractors.

“If approving this application means that their other fields in the centre of the village on Station Road are left unoccupied, then I am supportive. If however their plan is to occupy both Radmore Lane and their fields on Station Road then I object.”

And a Station Road resident said: “This should be allowed as better have this caravan site at a field outside of village than having it in the fields that are owned by travellers right in middle of village by Co-op.

“And concerns around the caravans turning into Radmore Lane causing danger on the A518 – it’s no different to all the massive tractors with their massive trailers going up and down the lane all day long and holding traffic up, a transit with a trailer is no different.”