Plans to expand number of homes at Traveller site to be given green light

Matthew Critchell

25 November 2024 at 9:07 am·2-min read

The existing traveller site in Vernons Road, Chappel — -Credit: (Image: Google Maps)

An Essex Gypsy Traveller site is looking to expand the number of homes as councillors are preparing to agree on plans. Proposals have been submitted to provide an additional three new static caravans on the existing two-caravan Gypsy Traveller site at Plot 3, Orchard Place, in Vernons Road, Chappel, just outside Colchester. The Orchard Place Traveller site is split into three distinct plots. The proposal to increase the number of static caravans at this site only relates to one of the plots, with no changes proposed for the other two.

Colchester City Council’s planning committee is set to agree the plans at a meeting on November 28. The plans have been referred to the council’s planning committee due to concerns from a councillor. William Sunnucks, Tory councillor for Rural North has raised concerns about possible overdevelopment of the site, sewage treatment capacity, associated business activities on site and the highways network capacity at the junction with the A1124.

The council’s planning officer said although the proposed caravans would be “relatively close together” it is acceptable as it is a private site and not a public caravan site. The council is also waiting confirmation from Essex Fire Service that the plans are acceptable in terms of public safety and the officer’s report states if this is not confirm plans will need to be altered.

The council officers report states: “The proposed addition of three static caravans to this established gypsy traveller site would help to meet the shortfall in such provision identified in the council’s adopted local plan. The application benefits from significant screening any external views of the proposed development from the public domain Consequently, there are no concerns that the addition of 3 new units would have a materially harmful impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside.

“There are no adopted parking standards for travellers’ sites. Two spaces per caravan are shown on the proposed layout drawing submitted with this application. This is considered adequate.”

There is a significant shortage of suitable sites for Travellers against demand across England.

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