By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A travellers’ site which could increase the population of a village near Newark by 20 per cent has been given approval.
The plans include eight pitches on Oak Tree Stables off Sand Lane, Besthorpe, which could accommodate up to 32 people.
Despite opposition from villagers, the committee ruled the site would be acceptable.
Each of the eight pitches would have space for one static caravan and two touring caravans.
Critics pointed out the area wasn’t included in the local plan for housing.
Newark & Sherwood District Council is required to find 69 travellers’ sites by April 2024, and is also short of housing in general.
Councillor Karen Grundy of Besthorpe Parish Council told the committee: “The overwhelming view of the village is that this is not an appropriate site.
“No other development would be allowed here. Isn’t it discriminatory to allow one type of development, but not another?
“If each of the eight pitches was occupied by a family of four, that would be a 20 per cent increase in the village’s population.”
Councillor Johno Lee (Con) said: “There is lots of pressure from national Government to meet our five year land supply for all properties, not just travellers.
“The district council has consistently failed to meet the needs of the traveller community. These sites need to come forward.
“It’s 50 per cent better – if not 100 per cent – than other traveller sites we’ve approved.”
Councillor Linda Dales (Con) asked whether the application could be deferred until the district’s local plan for housing was further along and could provide better guidance.
The committee was warned this would likely lead to the council losing an appeal due to the delay.
Councillor Tim Wildgust (Con) said: “We’ve got to deal with the planning issue today.
“This is desperately needed. We’ve got to do everything necessary to deliver housing, and eight pitches is reasonable.”
Planning committee chair Councillor Andy Freeman (Lab) said: “One of the parish council’s concerns is the dominance of the site over the very small village.
“Our officers say there could have been 22 pitches on this site, which would have certainly been over-dominance.
“However, they believe that the benefits of eight pitches outweigh the harm on the village.”
Eight committee members voted in favour, and five against.
