PLANS to turn former allotments in Brierley into a caravan site for a traveller family have been turned down by Barnsley Council.
The site, off Mackey Lane, is just over 1,000sqm in size and there is currently a twin unit mobile home sited at the northern edge.
An enforcement notice was issued in October last year, stating the work was classed as ‘inappropriate development on the green belt land’.
A report states: “Heavy plant and machinery have been undertaking operations to the land including the removal of topsoil, levelling of the land, erection of boundary walls and creation of an access point.
“Articulated lorries are importing aggregate and hardcore to the site to develop it further without any planning permission in place.
“A wall plaque has been inserted into the newly created boundary wall ‘Jimboy Stables’ which further highlights its intended use.
“The council considers that it is expedient to issue this enforcement notice having regard to the demonstrable harm that the inappropriate development has on the green belt land, furthermore it is also considered that enforcement action is in the public interest.”
Planning permission was being sought to erect a large day room which would be used to store medical equipment.
“The proposal involves the change of use of land from former allotments to caravan site for gypsy traveller family with associated development including hard standing, boundary wall and gate, and day room,” the report added.
“The applicants moved onto the land in October 2023 in their caravan.
“A twin unit mobile home is sited at the northern end of the site and the remainder of the yard area is used for the storage of a touring caravan and parking of vehicles.
“A timber shed accommodates a toilet and washing facilities. Hardstanding has been laid which consists of gravel and hardcore, and the site is enclosed by a newly formed high stone wall.”
One letter of objection and one letter of support was received by the council during the application - but the planning department rejected the plans earlier this week.
“In terms of the planning balance, the weight given to inappropriate development in the green belt and the other harm outlined, in relation to the impacts on visual amenity, green space, and biodiversity, is clearly not outweighed by the justification put forward by the applicant,” the report added.
