Travellers site appeal could hit taxpayers' pocket

The decision was taken last November.
But now the agent for applicant Boysie Biddle has made good on his threat made at the time.
Hugh Jackson, of Green Planning Solutions, had taunted councillors at the meeting, branding them “startled rabbits” and adding:
“Your enthusiasm for making the taxpayer pick up a big bill is exemplary.”
West Berkshire Council’s eastern area planning committee had voted unanimously to refuse the application.
Hundreds had opposed it, with some fearing “another Dale Farm” – a reference to the illegal Essex site which housed around 1,000 travellers until it was finally closed amid violence and arrests following a decade-long legal battle.
However members’ own planning officers had recommended approval for “one gypsy pitch together with the formation of additional hard standing and utility / dayroom ancillary to that land” adjacent the Olde Forge House in Bath Road.
And during the debate, planning officer David Pearson implored councillors not to refuse permission on grounds of flood risk, warning: “There’s a high risk of costs being awarded against us on appeal if you go down that route. Our engineers are satisfied with the situation.”
Mr Jackson, warned the meeting: “I strongly recommend you follow the advice of your planning officers to avoid a costly appeal. “And our success rate on appeal is over 90 per cent.”
A two-day appeal hearing has been scheduled for September 26.
Green Planning Solutions will argue, among other things, that Mr Biddle’s human rights have been breached and they will demand the council pays all its costs on the grounds that the original refusal was unreasonable.