RADIUS Briefing 4th Feb PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Thursday, 04 February 2010 22:04

Subject: Radius Briefing Note 4th Feb 2010

 

· Members of the Radius will be visiting local residents closest to the site over the next few days to collate their views and ensure they are informed of the action being taken by the Council and the process ahead of us

· A number of other residents’ groups fighting similar unauthorised developments have been contacted to gain their views and insight. You may wish to view their websites at:

www.support-slam.org.uk

www.hemleyhill.org.uk

· Legal and planning experts are being consulted to see how they might best help us fight the case and possible funding routes/mechanisms are being investigated. It is likely however that we will need to raise funds from residents. More on this shortly!

· Radius has agreed a program of fortnightly meetings with RBWM Planning Department to communicate residents’ views and stay informed of RBWM’s actions

· WSL Parish Council will consider the Shurlock Rd site planning application at its public meeting at the Neville Hall on Tuesday 9th at 7.45pm.

Last Updated on Thursday, 04 February 2010 22:06
 
RADIUS group formed PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Monday, 25 January 2010 12:30


R
esidents  Against Development In Unauthorised Sites 

 

RADIUS is a group of residents working closely with the parish and borough council to fight for the removal of the unauthorised traveller encampment on Shurlock Road.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 February 2010 15:17
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Letter from the Priest in Charge - Feb 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Sunday, 31 January 2010 14:28

Dear Friends,

 

When I was little, I could never understand the attitude of grown-ups to snow.

 

Snow was fun.  Snow was enjoyable. Snow gave you the opportunity to make snowmen, have snowball fights, or go tobogganing. And we didn't get nearly enough of it. So when it snowed it was exciting. It was something to be welcomed with joy. But grown-ups didn't seem to think so. They complained about it. They hoped it wouldn't snow, and grumbled when it did. They thought it was a nuisance.

Last Updated on Sunday, 31 January 2010 14:50
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RADIUS Briefing #2 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Saturday, 30 January 2010 11:29

Shurlock Road – Unauthorised Development by Travellers/Gypsies

This document outlines past events, what the situation is now, and the likely next steps.

 

The Site

The site is some 2 hectares in extent and was formerly an open field used for the grazing of horses, with access off Shurlock Road. The land is wholly within the Green Belt and within an area liable to flood (Flood Zone 3); the most vulnerable area to flooding.

Warning Signs

In September it became known that the land had been sold to a travelling family who were resident in Brentwood, Essex.  This naturally raised concerns from residents and these were voiced at the Parish Council meeting at which Local Ward Councillors Maureen Hunt and Paul Etherington were present.  The advice from the Councillors at the time was that no action could be taken until someone had done something illegal. 

Events to Date

1. On the week end of 19th & 20th December 2009 work commenced to import a large amount of brick and concrete rubble on to the land to form access roads and hard standing, with it appeared the aim of establishing a travellers/gypsy site.

 

2. By Monday 21st December, when officers of the Council visited the site, a large amount of work had been done to form an access road into the site, a septic tank had been installed, utilities connected, lorries were bringing tarmac scalpings onto site which were being moved around by a large digger to create a hard standing for the caravans, and post and rail fencing had been erected to sub divide the land into 12 or so plots. A number of lorries, vans and private cars were on the land as well as 10 caravans.

 

3. Wishing to stop this action the Council gained an injunction from the High Court for under S. 187B of the Act.  This was issued on 23rd December and prohibits any further:

· formation of hard standings, the movement of soil, creation of bunds, the erection of fences, the construction of outbuildings, laying of pipes etc.

· placement of caravans (includes mobile homes) beyond the 10 already on the land

· hard core, road scalpings or other material to be used on the land in connection with hard standing or access ways.

 

4. On 24th December the Council gained and issued an Enforcement Notice. This takes 28 days to come into effect.  The Enforcement Notice gives the occupants two months after that date to vacate the site and remove all the imports. 

 

5. A planning application from the occupants has been received by the Council and is going through the normal planning consultation process. Representations need to be made to the Council by 11th February 2010. The application is for a ‘Proposed Gypsy Site’.  The proposal is to sub-divide the field into 10 plots, each plot accommodating a single Gypsy family occupying 2 caravans apart from 1 plot that will be occupied by 2 families each with 2 caravans.  This makes a total of 22 caravans.  (The application refers to 11 new residential units). In addition the proposal is for improvement to field access, construction of access road, the formation of hard standings and erection of 10 amenity buildings.  Each one of these amenity buildings is 6m x4m, 2.6m high to eaves, 3.9m to ridge height and houses a bathroom and laundry / amenity area.

 

6. 28th January 2010 - The enforcement order is appealed.

 

The Road Ahead

The unauthorised development of a site, as in this case, is a planning issue under the Town and Country Planning Act.  As such, there is often a protracted process of application, rejection and appeal allowing the land occupant to remain in situ.  In the case of occupation by travellers/gypsies this process is further complicated by the need for Councils to make adequate provision for Gypsy sites as per the ODPM Circular 01/2006 Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites. As a result, there are a number of examples of cases where unauthorised development, even on green belt, has subsequently received planning permission.  Furthermore, even when planning applications are unsuccessful, it can take 18 months to 2 years plus for the process to run its course and the occupants to be removed.

Last Updated on Friday, 05 February 2010 10:16
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What's On - Feb 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Sunday, 31 January 2010 14:32

Village Diary: February 2010

           

  3rd :   2.30pm : Wednesday Club AGM, Church Side Chapel

  9th :   7.45pm : Parish Council Meeting, Neville Hall

20th :   7.30pm : Concert, The Stagg Quartet, Church

Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 February 2010 15:36
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Editorial Feb 2010 PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Sunday, 31 January 2010 14:24

Lunacy reigns - bring back The Goon Show:-

 

Bloodknock to Moriarty “Did you know that world peace is being threatened by men in exploding underpants?”. 

Last Updated on Sunday, 31 January 2010 14:50
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