THURROCK Conservatives have expressed their outrage at the Planning Inspectorates’ decision to allow permission for travellers to temporarily settle on the greenbelt at the rear of Malvern Road.
Little Thurrock Councillor and Conservative Leader Rob Gledhill said "I am astounded at the Planning Inspector’s decision to grant a temporary permission to allow mobile homes and touring caravans on the greenbelt! The inspector heard that they had alternative land to move to, the approach road is far too small to move the mobile homes down and most importantly it’s another valuable piece of greenbelt in Thurrock lost, albeit temporarily. It doesn’t matter who made this application, greenbelt is greenbelt and I cannot see how this application shows any of the very special circumstances to allow building on it.
"I will be writing to the Secretary of State over this as it appears that every similar application in Thurrock has been granted the same permission. Clearly this sets a precedence which flies in the face of planning guidance, common sense and residents’ objections."
The application for the site was plagued with delays, numerous changes and tensions between residents and travellers which still continue today. It attracted one of the largest number of individual objections and a packed public gallery at every hearing.
The site has been granted temporary permission for five years assuming other planning conditions are met in very tight timelines.
Fellow Little Thurrock Councillor Tom Kelly said "It is completely disgusting that the views of our residents and us have been completely ignored, as have those of the planning committee who voted unanimously to reject the application. It’s the second time ‘temporary’ permission has been granted on this site – last time the site was left with rotting animals, derelict buildings, a vandalised caravan and a complete mess; so heaven knows what will happen now.
"I know Rob has asked the site be registered for Council Tax from the day it became occupied over 2 years ago, so if the families want to stay on site they will need to pay the same as every other resident.
"We will also be ensuring that any breach of conditions will be acted on as fast as possible."
