Travellers site in Huntington

A 20 pitch permanent travellers site has been proposed by City of York Council, with building works commencing in 2014 in the field behind Woodcocks garage on Malton Road and other land and access along New Lane.

Successful opposition to proposed sites or halting the development of an unlawful site is achievable but affected parties need to think strategically to influence the local planning authority. It is vital to fully understand the planning process, work closely with the planning authority and to campaign effectively and persuasively.

There are key stages in the planning authority’s consultation process for proposed traveller sites when a farmer, landowner or householder can become involved and influence the authority’s decision. Objections given the most serious consideration are those that relate specifically to the site selection criteria and that clearly demonstrate why a particular site is not suitable. Important concerns are likely to be access, traffic flow and road safety, conservation or environmental issues, and issues relating to the demands placed on local infrastructure.

It is crucial that we strike a 'balanced impartial tone' as objections that appear to be motivated by prejudice or are based on false assumptions will be swiftly dismissed.
It is crucial that we now come together as a community to oppose this site for a variety of reasons:

In the LPAs, the council are required to be aware of the following influences. In Huntington's case, these elements don't appear to have been taken into consideration as each comes with its own, serious repercussion:

• Should strictly limit new traveller site development in open countryside that is away from existing settlements, or outside areas allocated in the development plan
• The area in question in Huntington will adjoin small businesses and residential housing - just 20 feet from existing family home back doors.
• Should ensure that sites in rural areas respect the scale of, and do not dominate the nearest settled community, and avoid placing and undue pressure on the local infrastructure.

Each plot has the potential to house 2-4 caravans (http://bit.ly/11MfJRH). Assuming a family of three lives in each caravan, we could potentially be looking at 180 travellers on the site.

Based also on the assumption that there will be one child per caravan, local schools will need to be able to accommodate 60 new children.

The site will also be adjoining the nature reserve created to preserve the protected Crested Newt including several ponds. These will be destroyed by discarded household waste products (http://bit.ly/19QCrQE).

Large caravans and associated vans for towing will be turning into or leaving one of York's major and attractively rural highways, cutting across an established foot and cycle path which could potentially put pedestrians at risk.

Potentially more ponies and untidy fenced areas could be introduced to the area (the field opposite the new Monks Cross development). There have already been instances of ponies becoming loose and wandering the highways.

We need to carefully make our objections based on the following elements:

• Outside planning boundaries
• Impact on landscape
• Noise and light pollution to neighbouring properties (dogs, generators)
• Highway issues / increased traffic
• Sustainability
• Sewage treatment
• Security of isolated properties
• Environmental impact on nature reserve
• Antisocial behavior impacting on local residents and Monks Cross commercial areas
• Burning of rubbish (the Osbaldwick travellers site regularly has clouds of black smoke)

The Highways Transport Development Control has provided evidence from another, similar case that the potential increase in traffic to be in the order of 9 to 11 movements per pitch.

The above however is based on the assumption that there will only be one unit per pitch. If there are more units per pitch, the increased volume of traffic will be even greater still.

Even more perplexing is that the Council have refused planning permission to local homes on the grounds of greenbelt violations and recently the existing proposed site for the travellers was refused planning consent to place up to 20 touring caravans (http://bit.ly/141rntL). This was refused on the grounds of access to Malton Road, but surely the same would apply to a traveller’s site? To possibly overcome the Malton Road access issue the Council would purchase more land to make the entrance wider or make an additional road connecting the site to New Lane across the Bradley's grocery shop land. Let's stop this nonsense.

In addition to signing the petition, please voice any concerns before 31st July 2013 to:-

Local Plan
City of York Council
FREEPOST (YO239)
YORK YO1 7ZZ
Or Email:- [email protected]

Leaflet : http://bit.ly/10QRZil

Sources for chart data : http://bit.ly/mmo1pi , http://bit.ly/1bZ1iyp, http://bit.ly/OaNTa9, http://bit.ly/1bZ1EoJ