Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Two recent planning appeal decisions...

The Planning Inspectorate has issued two appeal decisions relating to Sharkeys in Whaddon Lane.

Whilst I don't normally publicise this type of thing (although the decisions are in the public realm) I feel that, due to the amount of public interest, I will do so.

If you want a link to the full decision please contact me.

A very brief precis is as follows:-

Enforcement appeal. This was dismissed and so all the non-authorised changes to the buildings/additions must be removed.

Planning appeal. This was allowed and so the site is now authorised for occupation by a traveller family as defined by law. The Inspector decided that the current occupants do NOT meet the criteria and so must leave the site.

The latter is interesting as, in the past, inspectors have refused applications if the 'traveller' criteria wasn't met by the applicant. Whether this is a new governemnt directive or simply the approach taken by this particular planning inspector isn't known. But it would now seem that anyone can apply to establish a traveller site irrespective of their personnal planning status.