High Court quashes planning approval for North Devon traveller site

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

The High Court has quashed planning consent for a traveller site in rural North Devon after a legal challenge by Devon CPRE.

North Devon Council granted planning consent in May for a travellers' site on an agricultural field at Charles near Brayford, near a village of fewer than fifty residents. The decision came despite opposition from Devon County Council, Brayford Parish Council and forty local residents.

Devon CPRE sought a judicial review of the decision on four grounds relating to environmental effects. The council admitted that it had failed to require a biodiversity net gain commitment from the applicants or to obtain a wildlife report for the site. The High Court subsequently quashed the consent.

The council had granted part-retrospective consent for two traveller pitches, stating it had insufficient designated GRT (Gypsy, Roma and Traveller) sites in North Devon. Devon CPRE chairman Steve Crowther said the encampment had been set up without authorisation and the occupants had demolished a hedgebank to create an entrance and made alterations without permission. Devon Highways had also opposed retrospective consent on safety grounds.

How it is being reported

• High Court overturns planning approval for Devon traveller siteDevon CPRE wins High Court battle over unauthorized rural traveller siteDevonLive · 16 Oct, 12:03
• Planning permission for travellers’ site in rural North Devon hamlet quashed by High CourtA controversial planning decision to allow travellers’ pitches at Charles near Brayford has been quashed by the High CourtNorth Devon Gazette · 15 Oct, 17:35

In this story: North Devon Council · Devon CPRE · Charles · Brayford · Exmoor · Steve Crowther · Devon County Council · Brayford Parish Council

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