Oakley Green, Fifield and District Community Association Ltd
Local Planning - Gypsy Site Public Enquiry Concludes
Planning update 07 - 07.04.2014 - Gypsy Site Public Enquiry Concludes
The Enquiry lasted the 3 full days - 2 days (April 1 & 2) in the Guildhall in Windsor and 1 day at Windsor Racecourse (April 3) - and concluded at 6:15 pm on Thursday 3rd. There was a reasonable turnout of Local Residents who went along to show their concern/support. Not all 8 Applicants were in attendance - at least two Families were not represented.

The Planning Inspector was Mark Dakeyne BA (Hons) MRTPI). There were 3 Lawyers present – for the Applicants, RBWM and the Forest Green Road Residents. There were also 2 Agents present – for the Applicant and Forest Green Road Residents. RBWM were represented by Victoria Gibson (Planning), Helen Leonard (Trees) and Mr Andrews (Highways)

Other Witnesses were Transport Consultants (Hurlstone Partnership) employed by the Applicants, Cllr David Coppinger who gave a “Personal Statement”, Cllr Chris Yates representing Bray Parish Council and a Representative from the Gypsy Council gave short Statement.

One of the main points made by the Applicants was that RBWM has still not made enough provision for Gypsy Sites in the Borough (the same thing was said at the Brayfield Stables Public Enquiry in December 2010). And even if the new Datchet Site was finally Approved by the Secretary of State in September (?) 2014, it has only 10 Plots which is still not enough. It was said that the current need could be as many as 47.

In the end, the Applicants asked for Temporary Permission of 4 or possibly 5 years “to allow the Royal Borough get their Act together” on Provision of Gypsy Sites!

The Inspector said he would write to the Parties concerned in the next week or so and advise his timetable for Publication of his Decision (Brayfield Stables was about 8 weeks)

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep Residents informed