Appeal against refusal of bid to use land as gipsy site

Darlington Borough Council refused to grant planning permission for Geoff Watson, of Hurworth, to accommodate his relatives on land off Roundhill Road.

Mr Watson already has permission for members of his family to live on other land in the borough, but the council refused to give permission for four families to live on the land in Hurworth.

The council said the gipsy site would encroach on countryside and did not have adequate access to local services or basic facilities, even though Mr Watson said he planned to provide some extras for his relatives.

Last year, Hurworth parish councillors objected to the plan for four permanent gipsy caravans to be sited in a field near the Tawny Owl pub.

Councillors were concerned about the the loss of countryside. At a meeting of the parish council, Councillor Alan Gibson said: "There is a risk that the rural area between ourselves and Darlington is being eroded and this site would add further to that. It is also the most dangerous part of the road to have access for traffic."

Mr Watson has appealed to the Secretary of State for the Environment against the borough council's decision.

He says he needs to set up the camp so elderly and infirm members of his family can get the support they need.

A spokesman for Mr Watson said as part of the appeal bid: "He is seeking to provide accommodation for members of his own extended family group on land which he owns.

"Gipsies are a tightly-knit community and it is well known that where such family members do require support or care from other relatives, this is freely given."

The spokesman went on to say that although there are no plans to let other people move on to the site, some of Mr Watson's relatives living elsewhere in the town could move to Hurworth, freeing up other gipsy sites in the area.

No date has been announced for the Secretary of State for the Environment to make a decision on the appeal.