Traveller site refused over countryside concerns

Plans to convert a plant nursery into a traveller site were refused permission for a second time over fears it could harm the countryside.

Stanley McDonagh applied to change the land at The Vineyard in Uffington Road, Barnack, into a caravan site for two households.

Peterborough City Council planners refused the proposal, citing environmental impact, potential harm to the countryside and highway concerns. The plans received about 40 objections.

It came after a previous application by Mr McDonagh for a caravan site on the adjacent land in The Orchard was refused in September, after 122 objections, with some citing safety concerns.

According to the planning statement: "The proposed building would be a small-scale structure, located at the northern boundary of the application site.

"The area located to the west of the proposed stable building would be left undeveloped for the keeping of horses."

"Mains water and electricity services are already available on the application site, and a sewage package treatment plant has been installed for foul drainage.

"A development of two pitches would not place unacceptable pressure on local infrastructure."

The planning officer's report said the application had insufficient information relating to biodiversity net gain and raised concerns that the proposed site would cross a high-pressure gas pipeline.

The report stated: "The proposed development seeks to address an identified need for gypsy and traveller accommodation within the Peterborough area, as evidenced by the council's most recent Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA, April 2025).

"This need, alongside the government's objective to promote private traveller sites, carries significant weight in favour of the proposal.

"However, the application fails to demonstrate that safe and convenient access can be achieved from Uffington Road."

The applicant has six months to appeal against the decision.