Two more retrospective planning applications have been received by Havering Council to change the use of land next to Church Road to a “gypsy and traveller site”.
The first set of plans is for five plots, while the second seeks permission for nine plots – each consisting of a mobile home, touring caravan, day room or utility building and fencing.
It follows an earlier application for six new pitches on a neighbouring portion of green belt land, north east of Church Road.
However, both of these new applications clarify that the sites would act as an extension to existing traveller pitches – called Cherry Tree View and Blossom Hill View – on the opposite side of the private road which leads off of Church Road.
The applications claim that this area has already been approved and “developed by gypsy, traveller families over many years”.
The applications said: “The applicants site opposite at Cherry Tree and the neighbouring plot has been used for many year for travellers site and there is significant planning history.
“However, due to the natural growth and additions to the family, the existing plot is now severely overcrowded so they have had no choice but to extend to the land opposite and this is the area subject to this application.
“It should be deemed as an extension to the existing site which is authorised.”
The Havering Local Plan identifies 25 pitches on land adjacent to Church Road which form part of the agreed allocation for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.
However, works started on this extension – which encroaches on green belt land – before planning permission was sought, leading to enforcement action by Havering Council.
Havering Council leader Cllr Ray Morgon previously said the cabinet was “disappointed and shocked” to see unlawful works taking place on private land.
After the enforcement notices were served, he told the Recorder: “The notices require the travellers to stop all work on the land, remove everything that was brought onto it and to restore it to its former condition.”
He added that the council will continue to seek legal advice about next steps.
The council is expected to make a decision on the retrospective applications no later than February 17.
