A planning inspector has granted planning permission for a traveller camp to remain in place despite it being built without permission.

Leslie Smith has won his appeal to keep the development on Henley Road, Norton Lindsey after a protracted process of enforcement notices and planning applications.

The hearing was held at the end of July to discuss the application which was submitted after construction began in May 2024.

Warwick District Council (WDC) then served an enforcement action to stop the building work, with the travellers who own the site subsequently requesting planning permission.

And despite the objections of MP Sir Jeremy Wright and councillors Jan Matecki and Peter Phillips, planning inspector Sarah Dyer granted retrospective planning permission.

"I find that the site is in a sustainable location taking account of the particular policy context for gypsy and traveller sites," a report following the hearing said.

It continued: "There is no dispute that there is a lack of a five year supply of deliverable traveller sites in the district. 

"Furthermore, in the context of the specific needs of the appellant and the other occupiers of the site, it was established at the hearing that the site meets their needs and that there are no suitable alternative sites where they could move to."

The report revealed 24 caravans have been moved onto the site, accommodating 26 adults and 18 children. Twelve of the children are under the age of five.

Ms Dyer also made it clear that the campsite had been created through intentional unauthorised development (IUD).

"The appellant and other occupiers moved around 24 caravans onto the site on Friday 24 May 2024 in advance of seeking planning permission," she wrote. 

"His agent, who had been instructed before the appellant took this action, submitted a planning application on the same day through electronic means. 

"As it was a Bank Holiday weekend council officers did not receive the planning application until after the weekend. 

"There is no dispute that IUD has occurred."

The appeal also considered the impact on the green belt, foul water drainage and whether the land was "appropriate living conditions for the occupiers" given the noise from the M40 and access to local facilities.

Despite the concerns raised by Sir Jeremy, the impact on the green belt was considered appropriate, as was the access to local medical and education services.

See the full report here.

(Header image by Roy Hughes via geograph.org.uk)