ANGRY villagers have hit out at the illegal development of a travellers’ site near Kenilworth.
The operation, which has been dubbed as ‘slick’ by one resident, saw around 15 caravans pull up onto a field at Kites Nest Lane.
Residents say the travellers, who own the land, were using diggers and road rollers to develop the plot without planning permission.
Chris Lewis, chairman of the Beausale, Haseley, Honiley and Wroxall parish council, said: “The travellers moved in on Friday and started excavating the land with equipment before getting planning permission.
“They submitted an application just before 5pm with Warwick District Council for a permanent travellers site.
“But the district council moved quickly and issued a stop notice, which lasts for 28 days and means no other caravans can move onto the site and no further work can be done.
“This has been a very well-planned project by them (the travellers) and they obviously meant for it to coincide with the bank holiday shutdown.
“Most people are outraged by this, they’ve placed themselves on green belt land.”
Concerned residents have spoken about their fears to the Times.
A resident of Beausale Lane, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The whole move was very slick. “Why should they be able to move onto green belt land without any trouble, but the rest of us need to seek planning permission?
“Residents are concerned about their properties, about noise levels and whether the infrastructure will be able to cope with this. The roads are bad enough as it is without big trucks rolling up the lanes.”
Councillor Sue Gallagher (Con, Leek Wootton) was amazed at the rate of the development but praised Warwick District Council officers for their swift action over the bank holiday.
She said: “The travellers swept in with military precision and that is what is most disturbing for people.
“Everyone has to apply for planning permission in the same way, so now we’ll have to wait until planning officers look at the application before we can go any further.
“But the district council acted very quickly to issue a stop notice that was effective from Sunday at 6pm. If anyone breaks that notice then it becomes a legal matter.”
A Warwick District Council spokesman said: “A planning application has been submitted to us seeking permission for the change of use of the land for British Romani Gypsy families for 13 permanent pitches for mobile homes, 13 touring caravans for nomadic use only and 13 utility day rooms.
“The council is in the process of checking whether the application has been properly made and can be accepted. If the application is valid it will be considered through the normal planning process.”
A meeting is taking place on Saturday May 8 at Shrewley Village Hall, starting at 2pm, for residents to air their views about the situation.
Travellers declined to comment when the Times approached them.
What do you think? Write to us or email timesletters@mrn.co.uk.
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