Decision on Towton battlefield development deferred

Members of Selby District Council have opted to defer a decision but members of the authority indicated that they were mindful to refuse the application.

It is intended that the application to keep two caravans on the site will be brought to the next meeting of the council’s planning committee to be determined.

A planning inspector ruled in 2009 the land at was suitable to be used as a temporary travellers’ site and Reginald Robshaw is now seeking permission to use the site permanently.

However campaigners are calling for further examination of the significance of a site on the edge of where the Battle of Towton was fought.

Officers were recommending the application is approved but concerns have been raised by a number of opponents including Towton Parish Council.

In a report to the committee the parish council warned: “Research is still ongoing and, as a result, the exact boundaries of the battlefield are still not yet fully defined; indeed, there is a distinct possibility that the area of land owned by Mr Robshaw may prove to be germane to part of the battle.”