Concerns over plans for travellers site near Honeybee Inn

But neighbours say the development would be “inappropriate” for the area.

Honey Orchard in Doverdale, near the Honeybee Inn, is already home to one gypsy/traveller family with two caravans.

An application submitted to Wychavon District Council requests change of use of the land for a total of four caravans including no more than three static caravans.

LOCATION: The site is near the Honeybee Inn in Doverdale (Image: Ordnance Survey)

The proposals, which are part retrospective, also include the erection of an amenity building and the laying of some hardstanding.

The landowner said his family have lived on the site for four or five years with full planning permission and that the extra caravans are for other members of the family.

He said they have never encountered any problems with neighbours or other members of the community, but wonders if there would be as many objections if the words 'traveller' or 'gypsy' hadn't been mentioned.

He also said the development would not change the look of the landscape of the area because the site is surrounded by hedges and trees, meaning no-one can see in or out of the site.

Neighbours have objected to the plans, which is similar to a scheme rejected by the district council earlier this year.

Ann Pickering said: “Little has changed in this new application. In addition, the widening of the access arrangements will negatively impact the visual amenity and suggests there will be bigger vehicles accessing the narrow lanes of Doverdale.

“Wychavon has met its commitments for traveller sites so a larger site in Doverdale is not required.”

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John Sadler said: “The application for four static caravans was refused. The application for three static caravans should also be refused on the same grounds as before.

“The site is inappropriate for the area and will degrade the countryside alongside the Honeybee pub and surrounding area.

“It has been a horse paddock following on from previously being a horticultural/ livestock field associated with the Ripperidge Inn. Any change will degrade the character of the area of countryside surrounding Doverdale.”

Chris Chubb said: “The main difference in this latest application is that the number of residential units is reduced from four to three.

“This change does not address any of the concerns or objections raised by residents, the local council, or the planning department to the previous application.

“In view of the potential detriment to the rural area of Doverdale and concerns of residents I object to this application.”

* This story has been updated to include comments from the landowner