New proposals to create two Traveller sites have been submitted just weeks after legal action started because several mobile homes had been stationed without permission.
Over the past three years, there have been several ongoing planning disputes over the use of the farmland off White Post Lane in Sole Street, near Gravesend.
The site is subject to an enforcement notice from Gravesham council preventing it from being used for residential purposes.
However, many planning applications seeking to change the use of different fields which make up the 75,000 sq ft plot to create Traveller sites have emerged.
Significantly, permission was granted by the Planning Inspectorate, after previously being refused by the council, for a mobile home, touring caravan, and day room to be placed on a field south of White Post Lane.
But, in November, it was revealed that approval had been given for the wrong piece of land.
A fresh application was then submitted by Mr Dennard and Mr Smith seeking permission for a slightly larger development of three mobile homes, two touring caravans and two day rooms, on land adjoining the approved plot.
A decision has not yet been made on the plans, but now two new proposals have been sent in to the council by the same families for the same site.
Ms P Smith has asked to station one mobile home, one touring caravan and one dayroom, while Mr B Dennard has requested approval for two mobile homes, one touring caravan and one dayroom.
In total, the pair are asking for the same number of structures as the November application.
In their almost identical supporting statements, the applicants claim that there is an “unmet need” in the borough for Traveller pitches, and the proposed occupiers need a site.
The documents add: “The alternative options in most instances, such as this one, are either living roadside, or doubling up on overcrowded sites without planning permission.
“Neither of these options can be considered sustainable. In those instances, access to schools and healthcare is often limited or not prioritised.”
KentOnline has previously spoken to another family living on a different plot off White Post Lane, who explained that after years of living on roadsides, car parks and petrol stations, they want to settle permanently
Stuart Boorman said: “All we ask is to be treated with the same human rights and dignity as every other British citizen, and to be given the opportunity to live alongside the local community.
“When we finally come together and scrape together the money to buy land to settle on, our plans are rejected.”
He had also applied for permission to station eight mobile homes and two day rooms on a section of the land in August, but it was rejected by the council in December.
Concerns have been raised about using green belt land to station the mobile homes, but Mr Dennard and Ms Smith argue that the land off White Post Lane can now be considered as grey belt.
They add: “There is an inevitability for Traveller sites to end up in relatively rural locations, as urban areas are reserved for housing and are unfeasible for this form of development.”
Despite this, the land is still subject to an enforcement notice which requires all buildings, vehicles and other associated items to be removed from the site.
The owners and occupiers of the site had until February 11 to comply with the notice, unless they used the land which has planning permission.
On February 12, council planning enforcement officers visited the site and found evidence that the notice had not been complied with, and legal action was started.
Other applications submitted at the end of February include:
– Roof conversion with rear dormer at 15 Hopewell Drive, Gravesend
– Three dormer extensions at Big Muddy, in Whitepost Lane, Culverstone
– Side and front extension, new porch and alterations to windows and doors at Licot, in Dean Lane, Harvel
– Changes to approved plans for a two-storey dwelling at 1 Gabriel Gardens, Gravesend
– Rear extension to enlarge external play area at The Grove Daycare Nursery, in The Grove, Gravesend
– EDC consultation for demolition of buildings and erection of new units at Manor Way Business Park, in Manor Way, Swanscombe
– Single-storey rear extension at 76 Colyer Road, Northfleet
– Outbuilding to be used as an office and games room at 15 The Street, Cobham
– Rear extension at 23 Whitehill Lane, Gravesend
– Amendments to the flood defence wall at the Port Control Centre, in Royal Pier Road, Gravesend
– Approval of conditions at Squadron Manor care home, in New House Lane, Northfleet
– Detached garage, rear extension and additional first floor at 1 Willow Walk, Meopham
– Amendments to conditions for proposed medical centre at the former St Joseph’s Convent Preparatory School, in Old Road East, Gravesend
– Change of use from home to residential children’s care home at 221 Old Road East, Gravesend
-Barn conversion to create a new home at Green Farm, in Green Farm Lane, Shorne
– Upgrade existing telecommunications base station along Gravesend Road, in Higham
– Timber boundary fence and gate at 29 Winter’s Croft, Gravesend
– Erection of two homes at The Ravens, in Rhododendron Avenue, Meopham
– Single-storey rear extension at 17 Ivy Close, Gravesend
– Single-storey rear and side extension and dropped kerb at 2 Tradescant Drive, Meopham
To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.
All applications are under consideration by the council.
