TRAVELLERS in Walton are set to 'remain' on a two acre site despite having a planning application thrown out last Wednesday.

A permanent planning application for Two Acre Caravan Park, on Warrington Road, was rejected by the council's development management committee at the Town Hall.

Applicant Bill Smith asked for permanent retention to enable him to use the land as a travellers residential site for 24 permanent pitches, with a total of 31 caravans, in addition to a day room, site office and four amenity buildings.

The site has a lengthy history of temporary consents for accommodation – the most recent expired last December, 18 years after travellers came onto the land, and therefore the application site is deemed 'unauthorised'.

Seven members of the planning committee voted against the proposals and one abstained, following 15 letters of objection from nearby residents during the consultation period.

The council is now assessing the 'appropriate enforcement action' needed but said it 'should be noted' that the applicant has a right to appeal the decision to the secretary of state.

Philip Brown, who is the agent for the application, admitted a decision over whether to lodge an appeal is yet to be made but said travellers 'will be remaining' on the land for now.

"It is too early to say what we will be doing," he added.

Cllr Paul Kennedy (CON – Hatton, Stretton and Walton) again praised the behaviour of residents despite their ongoing frustration following the latest development.

"I don't expect the travelling community to vacate Two Acre Caravan Park but enforcement is very difficult at this moment in time as there is a right to appeal," he said.

"The application was carefully considered by officers and the committee but now we will have to see what happens.

"There may be a situation where the secretary of state calls in the decision.

"But I have to say that residents have been very calm throughout everything - that is the way to be but they deserve great credit for that.

"Also, I made a very good representation and it was quite obvious when reading the papers that the officer shared my concerns over elements of overcrowding – that is to the detriment of the travelling community."

It is believed if an appeal is lodged the matter could run past next summer.