Peterborough Council Rejects Traveller Caravan Site Plans Over Safety, Environmental Concerns

Peterborough City Council has unanimously rejected plans to create a caravan site for Gypsy and Traveller families on agricultural land at The Orchard, Uffington Road, Barnack, citing safety and environmental concerns. The proposal, which sought to accommodate four families with two caravans each, faced 122 objections related to unsafe access and potential harm to the countryside, with highways services and National Gas Transmission opposing the development due to its location in a high-risk zone. The council noted the site had already been partially developed without permission, making the application partly retrospective, but concluded that the environmental and amenity harms outweighed any established need despite a recognized demand for new pitches in the area. In parallel, Thurrock Council refused permission to expand a caravan park at Walton Hall Farm, East Tilbury, worried that increasing the number of mobile homes would shift the site's character from a mixed-use visitor attraction to predominantly a caravan park. Both councils emphasized the importance of balancing development needs with safety, environmental sustainability, and community impact. These decisions highlight ongoing tensions in managing caravan site developments amid local opposition and regulatory scrutiny.