Council "unable" to make gypsy site decision (From Bucks Free Press)

Council "unable" to make gypsy site decision

6:45pm Wednesday 5th August 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(6)

A COUNCIL cannot give planning permission for a gypsy campsite near Princes Risborough - because there is no proof the applicant owns the land.

An application was made to Wycombe District Council for hard-standing ground to be built at Hemley Hill so nine pitches with utility and day room buildings could be put up.

It was partially made retrospectively after travellers moved on to the site over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Building work was carried out at the site, which is in Green Belt land, before a temporary stop notice preventing further work was issued by the council.

An official planning application was then made.

But a council officer's report was only able to make the recommendation of 'minded to refuse' because of confusion over the site's owner.

This means the application would have been officially refused if the legal land owner had made it.

The report said: “In response to questions on land ownership the agents in a letter dated June 5 2009 have made the following statement; 'Patrick Hanrahan, John Murphy and Michael Murphy are the sole owners of the land and were at the time the application was submitted.'

“Together with this statement a Deed of Transfer document was submitted signed by Barry Arthur Taylor and Robert John Aldridge, however the document was not signed by Patrick Hanrahan, John Murphy or Michael Murphy.

“Given the lack of clarity over the ownership of the land, the Solicitors acting for the gypsies occupying the site were contacted and were repeatedly requested to produce evidence to confirm the current fee simple owners of the land. The Solicitor has failed to respond to those requests.”

The report added: “Given that there is clear discrepancy between what has been submitted on certificate of ownership as being the owners of the land and who the Office Copy Register shows as being the owners of the land it is the opinion of the Local Planning Authority that the current application before this Authority cannot be entertained and a decision cannot therefore be issued.”

The recommendation was given by the council officer based on what decision would have been made if Wycombe District Council was able to do so.

Reasons given for recommendation included the negative impact on the surrounding area and road infrastructure and the application being “inappropriate” for Green Belt land.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(6)