"All options" being considered over traveller site (From Bucks Free Press)

"All options" being considered over traveller site

8:30am Sunday 26th April 2009 in News By Andy Carswell

LEGAL advice is being considered by a council after travellers moved on to Green Belt land in Princes Risborough.

Wycombe District Council said it was considering “all available options” over the future of the site at Hemley Hill.

No more caravans are allowed to move to Hemley Hill and travellers have been barred from any further building work following an order by the council.

In a statement, the council said: “Wycombe District Council has issued ‘requisitions for information’ to gather information about who is living on the site and their circumstances.

“Before the temporary stop notice expires on Saturday 9 May, all available options will be considered and decisions will be made based on the information available and on specialist legal advice that is being provided to the Council.

“The Council is aware that planning agents have been appointed by the travellers currently living on the Hemley Hill site, who have indicated that they are in the process of preparing a planning application which will be submitted shortly.

“Should a planning application be received while the Council is considering all available options, it would be available to view on online, would be processed following normal planning procedures and would be considered along with the Council's current planning policies and other relevant documents.”

Officers from the council were among those attending a public meeting in Princes Risborough to hear concerns from residents.

Nine Gypsy families moved in to Hemley Hill over the Easter weekend and immediately began “unauthorised” construction on the site, which they own, resulting in the council issuing a temporary stop notice to prevent further building work.

Cllr David Carroll, who acted as Chairman at the meeting, said: "This is clearly a sensitive issue for local people and this was reflected in the high turnout, with 200 people attending and many more having to be turned away due to the capacity of the hall.

“The meeting was very much focussed on the planning issues involved and overall, it was very constructive."