Travellers’ mobile home dispute

Herefordshire landowners are fighting to keep a mobile home used by travellers on their land.

Herefordshire Council alleged Richard and Charles White used the spot at Tower Hill, Perton Lane, Checkley, between Hereford and Ledbury, “for the siting of converted horsebox vehicle for residential use that falls under the definition of a caravan” without having planning permission.

It said in an enforcement notice served on the pair that they had given “no justification” for this use, “in an unsustainable open countryside location, [where it] does not enhance or conserve the natural landscape”.

The notice demanded that the horsebox be vacated within 100 days from January 4, removed from the site within 120 days, and for any remaining structures to be cleared within 150 days.

The two Mr Whites, who lives at Rushall six miles away, had earlier claimed that the council had confirmed that the “travelling small motor home” did not need planning permission.

Then in a statement as part of their two separate appeals against the enforcement notice, the two told the Planning Inspectorate, which investigates and rules on planning appeals, that “the present occupiers are travellers and will have nowhere to go if they are removed”.

“They need to live on-site as they have large numbers of poultry, goats and sheep,” they said.

“I am merely complying with the use they [the council] stated did not require PP [planning permission],” each added.

Planning inspector Jeremy Richards has given both sides until March 21 to make their final comments.