Gypsy site given go-ahead by planners

A new gypsy site has been approved by planners after similar plans were turned down several times.

Darlington Borough Council's planning officers had previously said the proposals for an area of land on Neasham Road in the town was "not in a sustainable location" and would be "visually intrusive within open countryside".

But amended plans from applicant Robert Cunning, reducing the number of buildings, mobile homes and touring pitches from five of each to two of each, have been given the go-ahead.

The redevelopment of the site is expected to start later this year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Local authorities have no statutory duty to provide permanent or transit sites for gypsies or travellers.

But a government briefing states local authorities should assess the need for such sites and should set targets and identify land suitable.

The applicant said the proposed site would address a "shortfall" of such sites within Darlington and claimed just two new pitches had been approved since 2017.

Mr Cunning said this should "override any limited landscape impacts".

A report to planners agreed, stating: "The visual impact of the revised development is not sufficient to justify a reason to refuse the planning application."

Residents of nearby properties submitted six objections, mainly concerned by the impact of extra construction traffic in addition to the vehicles being used for a new housing development nearby.

One said: "This stretch of Neasham Road is becoming an unregulated mess and in no way does another proposed development fit in with the rural nature of the area."

Another objection added: "This site has had numerous applications denied, when does no mean no?"

But councillors followed the advice of the authority's planning department and approved the plans.

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