Council action affecting John Young’s land near Whitehall Park is backed. He now has eleven months to restore the site.
They initially gave him nine months; now, he has eleven months instead. Protests arose because of the site. He put down hardcore for eighteen caravans, six of these being permanent.
The council issued a “stop” notice last July. It halted all work on the land. The goal was to end unlawful residential use. All caravans must be removed now, and the land’s original state must be restored.
Young appealed the council’s decision. The inspector upheld the council’s order anyway. The deadline is extended until next year, which allows time for a planning decision.
Young applied to change the land’s use. He wants a Gypsy caravan site. It would have six plots with caravans, a utility block, and fencing.
A local councillor is happy the order stands. She wants them removed due to park damage and hopes the council finds them a new place.
The inspector noted three pitches existed. Young applied to create six pitches. His application was registered in January, and consultation ends in March next year.
A decision cannot happen before April. Finding another site in nine months seems possible, and the process need not force a roadside existence.
Young need not look for a new site yet. He should wait for the planning result first. So, the nine-month period starts in April 2025. The inspector extended the period from nine to eleven months now. If his application fails, Young can appeal.