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Barley Mow gipsy site plans withdrawn
A SWIFT decision has been taken to withdraw a plan to create two additional gipsy pitches on a site in St Albans.
The county council wanted to extend the Barley Mow gipsy site near Smallford and was in a position to give itself planning permission.
It drew up the plan because the gipsy section currently has a waiting list of 31 tenants and families for the Barley Mow site and to install a 'gatekeeper' to maintain law and order there.
News of the planning application was greeted by pledges from St Albans MP Anne Main, planning portfolio holder Chris Brazier, local residents and campaign group EERAgoAGAIN to fight the proposal.
But it emerged today (Thursday) that the county council has withdrawn the plan on the basis that it is premature to increase the number of pitches.
Acting leader of the county council, Robert Gordon, said: "This application was made at an operational level in response to pressure of demand on the Barley Mow site and with a view to improving the management of the site.
"While I understand these issues, I have concluded that the application is premature, at least."
Cllr Gordon accepted that the application, if it had been agreed, would have inconsistent with the revised gipsy strategy being drawn up on behalf of the government by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) which has been the subject of consultation.
He added: "I do not anticipate that the county council will make any applications for additional gipsy sites or pitches at least until the outcome of the consultation is known and the consequential revisions to the East of England Plan have been agreed