Proposals for Calderdale’s first gypsy and traveller site have been dashed - by a Government minister.
Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has intervened in a planning wrangle over the proposals.
The plan was for a small site for travellers site in the Green Belt at West View Stables in West View, Holywell Green. The site backs on to the churchyard at Stainland Church.
Sabrina Farrow, a mother-of-four and an English gypsy, had wanted permission for a change of use from agricultural land to a mixed use of agricultural land with stable block and container and yard area.
This would have been used for stationing of caravans for residential occupation by traveller families with associated works including sheds, septic tanks, an access track, hardstanding, fencing and containers for storage.
Calderdale Council rejected the application but Ms Farrow appealed.
Planning inspector J P Sargent upheld her appeal against Calderdale Council saying: “If the appeal were to be dismissed the occupiers of the site would have no alternative location for their caravans, and so they would have to stop on the roadside.
“As such, their educational and health needs would suffer.”
He added: “Although this is inappropriate development in the Green Belt, this harm is outweighed by the combination of personal and public benefits together with the inadequacy of the policy situation”
But Mr Pickles has now dismissed the appeal and refused the change of use.
A report issued on his behalf “agrees that there is no reason why demand for gypsy and traveller sites in the borough could not be accommodated in urban areas.”
Calderdale Council, like Kirklees Council, has no provision for travellers.
There have been many problems in recent months with travellers, setting up illegal camps across Huddersfield, taking over playing fields and business sites. Several organisations have had to take legal action.
