Two traveller pitches at Forest Road, Worlds End, Hambledon

What was proposed

The application sought two traveller pitches, each with a mobile home, touring caravan and utility room, retaining hardstanding and fencing.

“Case No: 25/01078/FUL Proposal Description: Material Change of Use of Land to a 2 Pitch Gypsy/Traveller Site comprising the siting of 1 Mobile Home, 1 Touring Caravan, and 1 Utility Room per pitch. Retention of hardstanding and fencing.”

“The application site is located off a private track off Fareham Road outside of Denmead. The site is located in the countryside on what is originally agricultural grazing land. The application site itself is subject to enforcement action for unauthorised works to cover the site in hardstanding and introduce a caravan. The neighbouring property has recently introduced closed boarded fencing to the northern side of the access track.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site lies off a private track in countryside outside Denmead, on former grazing land near rural development and the Chairmakers Arms.

“The area is subject to a number of unauthorised developments located along the southern side of the access track and to the west of the application site. Prior to the unauthorised development, the character of the immediate area was rural grazing land. The wider area is rural in character with sporadic dwellings, farms and the Chairmakers Arms pub is located to the north of the application site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and enforcement

The site has a history of refused and withdrawn traveller applications, temporary permission, appeals and enforcement action over hardstanding, services and fencing.

“By way of background, the application site is currently subject to an Enforcement Appeal. The Enforcement Notice was issued on the 15 th May 2025 relating to the carrying out of operational works, comprising the creation of hardstanding and laying of services and drainage, enclosing the land with fencing, and the importation onto the land of hardcore, scalpings or other materials used for the construction of hard standing.”

“22/02061/FUL – Change of use of land for the formation of 4 Gypsy/Traveller Pitches comprising the siting of 1 no. Mobile Home, and 1 No. touring Caravan, alongside the erection of 1 no. Utility Building. – refused 29.02.2024 14/00180/FUL - Use of land to provide 8 no. plots for gypsy/traveller families, 8 no. mobile homes, 8 no. touring caravans and 8 no. day rooms - 17.06.2014 appeal dismissed 17/01191/FUL - Provide 4 no.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because landscape harm was outweighed by the identified need for additional traveller pitches.

“Planning Balance and Conclusion The application would result in 2 gypsy pitches outside of the settlement boundary of Denmead. It is acknowledged that the Council cannot demonstrate a 5 year land supply for gypsy and traveller sites and therefore paragraph 11(d) of the NPPF is engaged.”

“Notwithstanding the landscape harm identified, it is important to consider that the Council acknowledges the lack of supply of available gypsy and traveller sites at the present time, and that there is a need for windfall development to meet the identified need. On balance, Officers consider that the landscape harm identified is outweighed by the need to provide additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches, and the application is therefore recommended for approval.”

Officer report

The main planning concern

Officers considered that noise, lighting, vehicles and residential activity would further harm the hamlet’s secluded rural character and conflict with countryside policies.

“In the 2022 Appeal, the Inspector found the effect on the character and appearance of the area of countryside to be a main issue and found that overall, on this issue “I find that even taking account of potential new landscaping and enhancement of the land to the north (previously known as plot 1) the proposed residential caravan pitch would harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area of countryside and would not accord with the provisions of Policy DM23.”

“The wider site has been subject to a number of Appeals, all of which have highlighted the impact of development on the rural character of the area. Specifically, the impact on tranquillity has been highlighted, additional noise, vehicle movements, lighting and general residential activity that is incongruous to the rural character of the area.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The landscape service objected, while strategic planning, environmental health and new homes raised no objection or identified traveller-site supply information.

“Service Lead – Built Environment (Strategic Planning) – • Currently the Council has 3.2 years housing land supply for Gypsies and Travellers as set out in the 2024 Authority Monitoring Report. Through the Local Plan Examination Hearings, it was demonstrated that over the lifetime of the emerging Local Plan, the Council can meet the identified requirement.”

Officer report

Objections from the parish and residents

The parish council strongly objected, and 17 representations raised concerns including unauthorised works, drainage, traffic, landscape impact, tranquillity and access.

“After discussion, Denmead Parish Council raised a Strong Unanamous Objection due to the objections that were raised by the neighbours and that the expiry date of the plots was five years, which has now expired. It was also decided to request that the application should be heard by WCC Committee should the officer be minded to approve the application.”

“Objecting Representations received from different addresses citing the following material planning reasons: • Unauthorized works • contrary to policy • lack of drainage • fly tipping • loss of tranquillity • Increased traffic • Intensified use • residential clutter • antisocial behaviour • unsuitable location • Impact on landscape • light pollution • lack of council action • not suitable for habitation • access is not in applicant ownership/trespass.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A resident spoke against the application, and a parish councillor spoke against it and answered members’ questions.

Members’ questions and debate

Members discussed the traveller-site supply position, enforcement appeals, temporary permission and the possible precedent, with legal advice provided.

“The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application. The committee received advice from the Legal Adviser regarding the 5-year supply of traveller site provision and the resulting engagement of the ‘tilted balance’ principle. He also clarified the status of ongoing enforcement appeals, the basis…”

Minutes