Council plans to grant traveller site permissions

A Norfolk council plans to grant retrospective planning permission to Gypsy and traveller sites to meet a rise in demand.

King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council has identified a need for up to 100 new pitches, 72 of which are required in the next five years.

One site on River Road in West Walton has been approved and another has been recommended for approval at Walton Highway.

At a meeting of the council's planning committee on 6 February, the decision on the Walton Highway site was deferred until a report from the Planning Inspectorate is received.

This site on Walton Highway and another on River Road had previously been the subject of enforcement action by the council, as caravans had been placed on them without permission.

Because the increased need has been identified, the council has decided rather than take them down, they should be given planning permission.

Freddie Brazil, the owner of the land at Walton Highway, is applying for retrospective planning permission to allow a static caravan and a mobile caravan on the site.

Documents submitted to the council by Mr Brazil's land agent say: "The borough has a large Gypsy/traveller population, and an unmet need for pitches.

"Gypsy/travellers have the right to own property and participate fully in society."

Mr Brazil has been contacted by the BBC for comment.

Conservative county and borough councillor Julian Kirk said the application at Walton Highway was the latest in a string of new and expanding sites, and he was concerned about litter and crime.

"I'm not pointing the finger at Gypsy travellers entirely but our crime rate around here is awful," he said.

"I'm a voluntary litter picker and we get one of my Mercedes sprinter trucks we can fill that on a Sunday afternoon litter picking."

Insp Ben Jarvis, West Norfolk Neighbourhood Policing Inspector, said there was no evidence that West Walton was a high crime area.

"Rural crime is always a priority for us and we focus on tackling this across the county," he said.

When asked about concerns of fly-tipping in the area, the council said it would investigate any complaints it received.

"We would not refuse a planning application because a site was untidy, nor would we ignore environmental health issues on an authorised site," a spokesperson said.

Friends, Families and Travellers is a national charity which works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and travellers.

It welcomed the council's plans to increase pitches and called on people to be respectful throughout the planning process.

It said: "Ensuring that Gypsy and traveller families have access to sites and safe stopping places not only prevents people from being forced to camp in unsuitable locations, but can foster better relationships with the wider community, by promoting inclusivity and understanding."

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.