Beech Hill questions whether traveller site plans are legal

The land at Clappers Farm, at the junction of Cross Lane and Bloomfield Hatch Lane, has been cited as one area that could accommodate up to eight pitches for travellers by 2021.
West Berkshire Council says it has to identify 14–16 pitches for travellers and gypsies and a further 24 plots for travelling showpeople in the district over the next 12 years to meet government guidelines.
However, the parish council says that they believe the land is protected by a covenant imposed by the previous landowners which is still in existence today.
An extract from the covenant is understood to read: ”No hut, caravan, house on wheels or other temporary building or erection of any kind suitable or adaptable for living or sleeping quarters for human beings shall be erected or placed on any of the land described.”
Beech Hill Parish Council says it informed the district council of the covenant and requested that the public consultation period on the proposals be extended beyond its September 12 deadline to allow people more time to submit their concerns.
However, West Berkshire Council responded by saying it was unable to commit to providing an early reply to the Palmer covenant position nor grant any further time for the consultation period.
The proposals for the gypsy/travellers site are outlined as part of a wider document, called the Housing Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD), which sets out proposals to provide 10,500 new homes in West Berkshire by 2026.
At a special council meeting held last month, more than 100 local residents showed up to voice their anger at the proposals.
Concern was expressed on a number of other issues including the strain any potential traveller site would put on local infrastructure, schools and transport and the tension it would create among the existing settled community.
Following the meeting, Beech Hill Parish Council accused the district council of placing “unnecessary stress” on residents by “not checking all the facts” before putting the proposals out to public consultation. During the meeting,
West Berkshire Council stressed that the proposals for that particular site in Beech Hill would not go ahead if it was deemed that the site was unsuitable.
The DPD document will be put to full council before being submitted to the Secretary of State next year.