A retrospective application for a traveller site in Chester has been approved, despite strong local opposition. 

The plans sought permission to convert the land at Picton Gorse Lane into a three pitch residential caravan site - including one static caravan and five trailer caravans.

With the development having already been carried out without planning permission, the application was first submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2022.

Located within the Green Belt, on former agricultural land on Picton Gorse Lane, the site is located approximately 1km to the east of Chester.

Upon its submission, the application received a number of objections - including by the parish council, which argued the development would harm the character and appearance of the countryside.

Citing inappropriate development in the Green Belt, a spokesperson had previously said: "This is an example of another retrospective application for incursion into the green belt in circumstances where there are no special reasons for permitting such development."

It had also pointed to the application site being poorly located in relation to services and facilities, alongside the need for traveller sites having been met elsewhere in the borough. 

A number of other objections followed, with neighbours listing development being carried out without planning permission, potential for noise and disturbance, impact on highway safety and inappropriate development without demonstrable special circumstances.

Concerns were also raised regarding possible future breaches of planning control. In response to this, the planning officer stated 'the application must be determined on its own merits'. 

Citing the provision of traveller sites in the context of 'a lack of supply within the Borough', the officer also raised 'the personal circumstances of the occupiers', such as the wellbeing of a number of children who currently live at the site.

With the children attending local schools, disruption to their education was considered alongside one child's autism and ADHD, who also requires an onsite tutor. 

Approving the plans, the planning officer said: "It is clear that it would be in the best interests of this child to benefit from being able to remain at the site.  

"Substantial weight is attached to the best interests of the children as granting permission would allow them to remain on site and have a settled base which would allow them to access education and healthcare."

It was concluded that the visual impact of the development, alongside its lack of safe and reasonable walking distance of services, facilities and public transport, 'would not clearly outweigh' its benefits.

Whilst the number of approved pitches and caravans has been restricted to protect the Green Belt and 'character and appearance of the area', the officer emphasised how 'substantial weight' has been attached to the 'best interests of the children' on site.  

The retrospective development has been approved subject to various conditions, including a three year limit on its use with only three pitches permitted, its occupation restricted to travelers, no more than one commercial vehicle per pitch and no commercial storage allowed.

You can find the full application here.