A family from the travelling community have been given permission to leave their caravan permanently alongside a former landfill site between Whaplode and Holbeach St James.
At its meeting on Wednesday, January 10, South Holland District Council’s planning committee granted retrospective permission for the site at the junction of Hurdletree Bank and Cranesgate North.
The decision had been deferred from a previous meeting due to errors in the planning officers’ original report and to carry out further environmental studies.
The applicants commissioned the study which planning officers were satisfied showed there would be no health risks to the site so long as the grassed over former landfill area is not used for domestic or amenity purposes.
The application was controversial with 38 objections or representations made by members of the public.
The objections included concern over the lack of amenities and the potential for more caravans to move on to the site.
Coun Christopher Brewis, said: “I still have problems with this site.
“We still have a requirement to make sure sites are fit and the fact they’re already there is something we have to discount otherwise we’re making a rod for our backs.
“I feel this is an unsustainable site.”
However the officers cited the need for traveller sites in the district as part of the reason for recommending its approval.
The application is just for one caravan with a condition inserted to allow the applicants visitors.
Coun Rodney Grocock: “The report has been clarified, the officers are happy, I have no objections any more.”
Eight councillors voted to pass the application, six voted against and one abstained.
