A Traveller site has been approved in Sutton St James, raising concerns over flood risks and sustainability
Sutton St James: So, there’s been some buzz about a new Traveller site getting the green light. It’s got a mobile home, a tourer, a stable block, and a day room. But, hold on, there were some serious concerns raised about it.
The planning committee from South Holland District Council met up and decided to approve the site, which is located on a field south of The Stables on Baulkin’s Drove. This all went down on a Wednesday evening in early January.
Now, here’s the kicker: a similar application for a nearby field was turned down before because of flood risks. But the Planning Inspectorate stepped in and said, “No big deal,” finding that the risk wasn’t significant.
This new site is also in Flood Zone 3, which is a high-risk area for flooding. But the officers said the actual risk there is pretty low. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, right?
During the meeting, an agent named Alexandra Patrick pointed out that there are already several Traveller sites in the village. Plus, she mentioned that a family member of the applicant lives close by, which could help them stay together as a family.
However, not everyone is on board. Councillor Christopher Brewis called it “one of the most unsustainable locations in the district” and was ready to vote against it.
Another councillor, Andrew Woolf, echoed those worries, saying there were “red flags” all over the application, especially with objections from the Environment Agency and the local councillor.
He mentioned that the only reason this was even up for approval was that it could go to appeal if they turned it down. That’s a bit of a slippery slope!
Councillor Jack Tyrell also chimed in, worried about the septic tank situation. He argued that the main sewer is too far away for a proper connection, saying, “Putting a septic tank in just won’t work.”
Despite all the pushback, Councillor Henry Bingham proposed to approve the plans, but with conditions that only Gypsies or Travellers could live there. The motion got a second from Councillor Paul Redgate, and in the end, 10 councillors voted in favor while four were against.
