Plans for extra travelling showman pitches approved for Heath and Reach
Four more travelling showman pitches can be provided at Double Arches Mobile Home Park in Heath and Reach, subject to key conditions being addressed and referral to the Secretary of State as the site is in the greenbelt.
Applicant Craig Smith submitted revised full plans to change the current 11-pitch layout to include the extra plots, with four maintenance buildings around a courtyard and landscaping, on the seven-and-a-half acre site off Eastern Way.
Conservative Heath and Reach councillor Mark Versallion called in the application for consideration by Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee, as it was recommended for refusal by planning officers.
He described it as “a good location, which wouldn’t create a significant or substantial harm to the greenbelt”.
Principal planning officer Peter Vosper said: “This application is for four extra pitches to make 15 overall, with an altered layout.
“The four maintenace buildings are inappropriate development in the greenbelt. This would harm the openness of the greenbelt and conflict with its purposes.
“There are also identified harms to the character and appearance of the area. Overall it doesn’t represent the special circumstances required and isn’t considered acceptable.”
Councillor Versallion suggested: “What’s being applied for is entirely reasonable and should have been approved already.
“This application was made four years ago. After all the advice and written exchanges, it arrives here recommended for refusal.
“Tens of thousands of homes are approved by CBC, but no showman pitches during that time. Gipsy and traveller plots have been agreed since then. There’s an inconsistency.
“It’s reasonable because it’s clearly greybelt. It used to be a pig farm and has been vastly improved ever since. It’s a well run site and is tidy. Heath and Reach Parish Council hasn’t objected.
“There are quarries, a tileworks and a narrow guage railway depot next door. It’s hardly an area of outstanding natural beauty.
“I don’t want another part of the greenbelt being developed when this is available. These sheds are needed to maintain the expensive modern rides and simulators.”
Speaking on behalf of 15 other longstanding fairground buisnesses, travelling showman Mr Smith confirmed: “The original consent doesn’t include the essential service and maintenance buildings required for a functioning showman’s yard.
“Fairground equipment can’t be properly stored, maintained or inspected in line with modern regulatory demands, without these four workshop premises arranged around a turning circle.
“This seeks to deliver what the site now needs to continue to operate correctly, while also proposing a modest increase in the number of pitches to help address the unmet need for showman’s accommodation and avoid the need to relocate the pitches elsewhere within the borough.
“The equipment ranges from smaller rides to much larger rides, such as Ferris wheels and rollercoasters. The buildings are designed to resemble agricultural barns, a familiar form of development within the greenbelt.
“It allows families to establish a stable base, so children can attend school and they can all access healthcare.”
Having outlined why the very special circumstances for such development in the greenbelt apply, the committee was told a biodiversity net gain payment could be made by the applicant for use elsewhere.
Councillors approved the development, with ten votes in favour and two abstentions, subject to further talks around the Section 106 agreement and site access details, as well as the Secretary of State’s agreement.