Bid for extra gypsy pitches in Pulborough

An application was received on March 30 to change the use of land at the junction of Hill Farm Lane and Stane Street – an area that used to house a Southern Water depot.

A statement from Appleton Town Planning, submitted with the application, said: “The site has been prepared for development by the clearing of scrub and material that was left when used by Southern Water, and during this time it was discovered that the hard-surfaced area is more extensive than previously thought.

“It is on this basis, and, having regard to the positive comments of officer’s in the report to planning committee and at the meeting regarding the suitability of the site, that my clients feel that they could offer more pitches on the land.”

Officers may have given ‘positive comments’ about the previous application but their sentiments were not shared by some residents.

The council received 60 objections, with questions asked about road safety, the effect on the character of the area and whether there was a need for such sites in the first place.

Councils are required to have a five-year supply of land to be used as accommodation for gypsies, travellers and travelling show-people – something Horsham does not have – so the answer to the final question was ‘yes’.

To view the application, log on to horsham.gov.uk and search under ‘planning’ for DC/20/0636.

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