Fresh planning application for Traveller's site

A further attempt is being made to possibly allow travellers to use a disused car park site at Haldon Forrest.

A new planning application has been received by Teignbridge Council for five temporary pitches on a former car park at Haldon Ridge.

The former car park is already home to a group of travellers but this is currently an unauthorised site.However it is close to a permitted 18 pitch site which is managed by Teign Housing. A previous application for the site was refused two years ago. This new application hopes to allow them to remain on the site. 

Planning consultant Dr Simon Ruston has been advising those staying at the site, which includes some children, for several years. 

Dr Ruston, whose company Ruston Planning Ltd specialises in Gypsy and Traveller planning, says, in a statement to Teignbridge Council planners: ‘The latest evidence shows there is a ‘clear’ unmet need for such pitches in Teignbridge and the emerging plan will not meet this need in full.’ His statement has addressed issues which led to the previous refusal in 2022. 

Ultimately, his aim is to stop a cycle of evictions on the site. 

In the latest application, he provides evidence to demonstrate the proposal is compliant with relevant development plan policies.

He says the land would not constitute the loss of a community facility, ie the car park, as it is not in use currently, there are multiple other car parks nearby.

His statement points out: ‘Anti social behaviour in the car park was causing a significant problem which the proposed use stops from occurring.’

Devon County Council who are the landowners of the car park have previously raised concerns about the site which it says it not suitable for residential use as it lacks essential amenities for living such as mains water, sewage and energy.