Plans to create a Gypsy and Traveller site in north Cumbria have been revealed.
The land, currently an unused field to the west of Ghyll Bank Caravan Site in Harker, north of Carlisle, has been identified as an ideal location for the site and would be for Gypsy and Traveller transit accommodation and permanent residential Traveller provision.
The application to the change the use of the field said: “Overall, the site can be described as being located in a sustainable location given its proximity to local services, the highway network and to public transportation routes.”
It is proposed for 30 residential plots for mobile homes, as well as an outbuilding, parking and communal recreation zones, new roads, and new crossover access to the main road, at the site.
The plots would have concrete bases, the boundary would consist of timber fencing, the walls would be painted composite panelling and there would be 60 parking spaces for visitors.
The site is bounded to the north by Low Harker, to the east by Ghyll Bank Caravan Park (Gypsy and Traveller site) and to the south and west by the M6.
The application said: “We consider that there will be common ground with the LPA that there is a recognised long term unmet need for Traveller pitch accommodation in Carlisle and that the proposals for the site would represent a development that would contribute towards that identified need.”
It is considered that the proposal for the site complies completely with planning policies.
It added: “The proposed use of the site is for use as a family Traveller site, which in effect is a residential development.
“No commercial uses of the site are proposed though this planning application.
“Furthermore, the setting and position of the development site and propounded pitches, when considered against the location of existing residential accommodation in the area, means that there would be no impact on residential amenity to the adjacent Gypsy and Traveller site or towards any forthcoming similar developments to allocated land to the south and west.
“The proposed development would not be harmful to the street scene, given the sites position to Low Harker.”
The matter is currently being considered by planning officers at Cumberland Council.
