Report highlights need for 33 more traveller sites in district

The independent report, backed by members of Selby District Council, comes at a time when a controversial planning application for new pitches at Burn, near Selby, is expected to be considered at the council’s planning committee in coming months.

Council bosses say the application, if approved by councillors, would provide an additional 15 pitches towards the target of 33.

Objectors have claimed that the proposal will swamp the small village.

Another part of the airfield already provides 15 pitches and they are concerned a second site will be out of place in such a small community.

The council says failing to identify adequate sites could leave it open to potential legal action and unable to protect the district against illegal encampments.

It says this has already been the case, as it has so far been unable to meet the total set out in a previous needs assessment, with a number of sites granted temporary planning permission by the Planning Inspectorate.

Coun John Mackman said: “This evidence-based report will give us a clear direction in terms of the number of pitches required up to 2028 and the necessary guidelines for considering the location of new sites.”

Meanwhile, in a separate move, the council’s planners are asking for help identifying land for possible future development, as part 
of its annual survey of available land.

Over the next five weeks it wants to hear from all landowners who would like to promote their land for development, now or in the future as it puts together a blueprint for future development.

More information and a form is available on the council’s website.