Traveller site expansion rejected at Woolhampton

Plans to expand an existing traveller site have been rejected.

West Berkshire Council has refused a proposed extension of the existing caravan site, which would include the addition of one mobile home and one touring caravan to the land west of Hill Place on Bath Road.

The council confirmed their decision on Friday (October 28).

One public comment against the proposal read: "The field in question has always been part of the natural drainage system and more development would interfere with this.

"They are greenfield sites for a reason; they serve a purpose that is beneficial to the local environment and the population."

A previous application was refused by West Berkshire Council as a steep earthworks slope and a hard standing had been constructed next to the railway line, without Network Rail’s safety approval.

The planning application was originally validated on July 14, 2022. The appeal status is unknown at present