Shropshire Council has been forced to refute allegations that a planning report showed “due regard” for the “equality of opportunity” between travellers and non-travellers.
Mr Michael Toogood, reportedly a self builder, applied to erect a modest three bedroom bungalow and detached garage on a plot of land adjacent to the A529 in Woodseaves, Market Drayton (22/05367/FUL). However, this was rejected in November 2022 due to the application site occupying “a countryside location outside any development boundary where market housing provision is not supported in principle by adopted development plan policies”.
In his report, the planning officer said: “The proposed layout of the development would be an unacceptable form of cramped, backland development which would fail to respect the existing pattern and grain of development. The development would also have a substantial negative impact on the adjacent trees to the west of the site.”
A separate application was made in June 2023 by Mr H Toogood. the application proposed a traveller site (23/02652/FUL) and detailed a “Change of Use of land to Gypsy / Traveller site for 2 family pitches to include the erection of amenity buildings, improvement of access and installation of Bio-Disc sewage treatment plant”. Objections to the application were made by 42 people.
In March 2024, permission was granted for two brick-built “dayroom/amenity blocks” each comprising a kitchen, dining area and bathroom, as well as the accommodation of up to four caravans (including two static caravans) and eight vehicles. The application was submitted on behalf of a Mr H Toogood.
As a result, the council has been accused of discrimination against non-travellers whose applications to build in the same area had been refused. Local residents also said adequate provision for travellers existed nearby and that the development would harm local ecology.
A row between planners led one to declare a conflict of interest. The council concluded that “this report has had due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity between gypsies and travellers on the one hand and non-gypsies and travellers on the other”.
However, one of the conditions of granted application states: “The occupation of the site hereby permitted shall be carried on only by the following and their resident dependants: Mr Henry Toogood, Mr Michael Toogood, Mrs Rosanna Toogood and Mary Anne Toogood. The reason being: To ensure that the site is only occupied by the Applicant/s and their named dependants.”