TARVIN Parish Council has said it is “disappointed” but must accept the decision of the Planning Inspectorate to approve a Traveller site off the A51.

The site, which is to include a static caravan, three trailer caravans, a day room, septic tank and landscaping at land near Tarporley Road, was approved for development following an appeal.

The initial plans were refused by Cheshire West and Chester Council planning officer Rob Charnley primarily on the grounds that the development would be uncharacteristically urban and did not have sufficient safe walking or cycling routes to local amenities among other issues.

The Appeal Decision document states that whilst there is “moderate weight” attached to the harm that the development could cause to the character and appearance of the area, this could be mitigated with further landscaping.

The location is deemed as “not unacceptable” in terms of its relationship to existing settlements and there are “opportunities for the occupiers of the site to use sustainable modes of transport to access them.”

The document continues: “The lack of alternative sites for the family to occupy and the likely extent of unmet need for sites each carry substantial weight. The personal circumstances of the appellant and her family and their need for a settled base to access healthcare weighs in favour of the proposal. A settled base would allow the children to continue with their education and I am in no doubt that the best interests of the children would be to continue attending the local school for their individual and social development. Having to vacate the site and lead a roadside existence would be unlikely to provide for the health and educational needs of the family.

“Taking the above into account the conflict with the development plan is outweighed by other considerations to the extent that planning permission should be granted.

“I have considered whether this policy conflict and harm should only be accepted for a limited period with the grant of a temporary permission. However, in my mind there is considerable doubt over when and if lawful gypsy and traveller pitches will be established in the near future. The likely date for any review of the need for gypsy and traveller sites of 2025 does not reassure me that additional pitches will be provided soon. Moreover, a temporary permission is likely to result in uncertainty and disruption to the children’s education and social development. A permanent permission is therefore justified.”

In a statement, Tarvin Parish Council said: “The Council was disappointed in this outcome but has to accept the position. The approval comes with a number of conditions and the main ones are summarised below. The PC will be seeking a meeting with CWaC Planning Enforcement to learn how these conditions will be monitored for compliance.”

The statement continues: “The conditions include:

“No more than one commercial vehicle for use by the occupiers of the caravans to be stationed, parked or stored on the site.

“No commercial activities to take place on the land, including storage of materials.”

Tarvin Parish Council is set to submitted a scheme to Cheshire West and Chester Council by May 26 covering: the proposed and existing external lighting of the site, tree hedge and shrub planting and details for the secure storage of cycles.