Travellers allowed to stay in illegal encampment near historic estate until end of decade

A family of travellers has been granted permission to stay in an illegal encampment near a historic estate until the end of the decade.

The Leicestershire site erected close to the grade II-listed Victorian Blaby Hall estate is now allowed remain in place after officials expressed worry that eviction might leave the group homeless.

The illegal camp, blighting the historical land east of Sycamore Street near Bouskell Park, was first installed during a Bank Holiday last August and can stay until June 2029.

The family set up fences and gates as they settled into the leafy area, complete with a static caravan.

A retrospective application for the ad hoc development was refused by Blaby District Council - but the Planning Inspectorate has now overturned the decision.

Applicant Martin McDonagh lodged the appeal.

The latest decision allows a static caravan, touring caravan, hardstanding, fencing and gates to remain on the land for three more years.

Inspector M Madge, who overturned the original decision, warned that eviction would "take away settled base for this household".

She added that the family "may potentially need to resort to living on the roadside and face disruption to the children's educational provision as a result".

The council said 441 local residents objected to the initial application. The authority refused the bid because axing the hedge "significantly harmed" the area's character.

The site was also said to be too close to the historical house and the site would create a "discordant feature" locally.

In her ruling, the inspector added: "I consider that a temporary permission (personal to the occupiers) would serve to reduce the severity of harm identified because the development proposal relates primarily to a use of the land."

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She argued that returning the land to its condition before the development offended locals last August "would not be unduly complicated".

Councillor Mike Shirley, Blaby District Council portfolio holder for Planning and Strategic Growth, announced the authority was "disappointment" in the Planning Committee's decision in favour of the travellers.

"We have concerns about the impact any development in this location has on the Blaby conservation area," he said.

Meanwhile, residents have been upset by the decision against the hundreds of locals who fought against the appeal.

One claimed that the decision would encourage more travelling groups to "flout rules", while another neighbour, who lives near the site, told The Telegraph: "It's ridiculous.

"If I wanted to build a porch, I'd need to get planning permission, so why don’t they need it?

"The site borders a conservation area. Having it there is just not in keeping with what we have here.

"They might even just end up renting the site out if it gets full approval, which would be even more ridiculous."