Application submitted for traveller site to go on land in Outwell to house ‘homeless’ family

A planning application for caravans to come to a village has an aim to house a “homeless” Gypsy Traveller family.

Applicant Ms Aldrin submitted the proposal to West Norfolk Council, which entails changing the use of land in Outwell for 12 caravans.

The land on Cottons Head would have six residential static and six touring caravans, either on a “temporary or permanent basis”.

However, many neighbouring residents living on Cottons Head have objected to the plans, noting that a similar plan for the site has been previously refused.

In the design and access statement, Mr Aldrin said that the family has been identified as being homeless since at least 2015.

It added that the family have been “unable to access” alternative accommodation.

The statement said: “The proposed development will meet a pressing accommodation need, and make a welcome contribution to accommodation provision in the district.

“It is viewed as staggering that, having identified that the owners of the Cotton Head site were homeless that no provision was made to meet their accommodation needs.”

The application site was partly developed as a Gypsy Traveller site in 2014.

The statement adds that the site has previously been refused on Norfolk County Council Highways grounds.

A flooding risk document states the land is classed as being “highly vulnerable” to flooding.

Neighbouring residents expressed their concerns that the site gets waterlogged when it rains heavily and shouldn’t have “anything hard on it”.

One objector commented: “The land has always been for agricultural use and was refused planning to change use to paddocks, so hardstanding and a caravan site shouldn't even be considered again.

“This is very distressing for the residents and families on this road. The High Court in London said no to this site, and this should not be overruled.”

Another added: “There appears to have been insufficient consultation with residents, many of who are concerned about the long-term implications of such a development.”

Norfolk Police commented on the application and put in design suggestions to make the area less susceptible to crime.

A consultation about the plans is set to take place on May 24.