One objection on the East Riding Council planning portal said ‘it should not be one rule for us and one rule for them’

A retrospective planning application for a traveller site in East Yorkshire has been given the green light, despite many objections from local people. Council officers said because the scheme is ‘small scale’ it won’t have any major effect on wildlife or dog walkers using the area.

But one objection on the East Riding Council planning portal said ‘it should not be one rule for us and one rule for them’ and made clear concerns that there is already a traveller site in the area. Other residents are worried about drainage, increased traffic and the development’s impact on a rural and remote corner of East Yorkshire.

The application from Hughie Doherty is for a change of use of land from agricultural to a traveller site on land north of Mill Road in Keyingham. It includes alterations to land levels, the siting of a static caravan and washroom, erection of timber fencing and gates. In addition the application includes the installation of a septic tank and construction of vehicular access.

“Everything they have done has been against rules set out,” one objection stated. “Myself, along with the rest of the settled villagers that have extended their properties, went about things in the correct manner and played by the rules and sought planning permission before any works commenced, often jumping through hoops to get it.”

‘Changing the character of the land’ one resident said

Another objection shared concerns the development would change the rural character of a remote part of East Yorkshire. “All the land around the planning permission is agricultural land and countryside, this will impact on the rural setting, including more noise pollution and changing the character of the land,” the comment stated.

Further objections on the authority planning portal stated: “The introduction of a static caravan, washroom, extensive timber fencing, and large gates represents a significant urbanisation of the countryside. This development would disrupt the open, rural character of the area and create a visual intrusion that is inconsistent with local planning policies regarding countryside protection.

“The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the countryside that would cause demonstrable harm to highway safety, local amenity, and the landscape.”

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Concerns about drainage were flagged to council officers several times on the portal. One comment stated: “During the 30 years I have lived here, we have experienced regular drain blockages that have required Yorkshire Water to attend on numerous occasions. The drainage system has been unreliable for many years. As residents, we have had to avoid using thick toilet paper or products marketed as ‘flushable’ because of the frequency of blockages. This demonstrates the existing limitations of the local drainage infrastructure.”

Approved under new government powers

However, East Riding Council planning officers have approved the application under new national delegated powers – bypassing elected councillors on the planning committee as part of new rules introduced this month. “It is acknowledged that there have been representations, including from the Parish Council, concerned with the impact of the development proposal upon character and appearance of the locality, including the open and peaceful rural environment valued by residents. Further concerns relate to the cumulative impact of gypsy and traveller development in the locality, and that such development has an urbanising effect,” the officer’s report on the authority’s website states.

“Whilst the comments and concerns raised by the Parish Council, a Ward Member, and residents have been carefully considered, for the reasons detailed above it is, on balance, the benefits of the proposal substantially outweigh its adverse effects, including those arising to the character of the countryside and the significant weight afforded to the intentional unauthorised nature of the development.”

The report makes clear that council officers do not believe, on balance, that the plan will result in any significant harm to public access or rights of way.

And according to the officer’s report there is a ‘very low risk of surface water flooding’. The report states: “While land beyond the site boundary, particularly to the north-west, is shown to be susceptible to flooding in certain circumstances, there is no substantive evidence before the Local Planning Authority to demonstrate that the development has increased flood risk or altered drainage patterns to the detriment of adjoining land. It is recognised, however, that detailed information regarding ground conditions has not been submitted as part of the application.”

Anger at ignoring resident’s wishes

The decision of planning officers ignores local knowledge about flooding and drainage, according to Cllr Sean McMaster (Conservative – South East Holderness ward).

“The decision is somewhat of a disappointment, given local people’s genuine concerns over the retrospective development,” he said after the decision was revealed. “It is riding roughshod over procedure.”

Under government reforms introduced at the end of October, ward councillors can no longer ‘call in’ applications for a public committee vote, and a high volume of resident objections no longer triggers a hearing.

Cllr McMaster added he believes Keyingham Parish Council is looking at ways to raise an objection to the decision, though under planning law third parties cannot lodge a formal planning appeal against an approval – it is understood a costly High Court judicial review is the only legal route of appeal. This is considered to be extremely unlikely and no-one from the Parish Council was available for comment on their next steps.

With the site being so close to the Humber Estuary the planning officers examined the environmental impact of the development very closely. It noted the subtidal mudflats, saltmarsh and reedbeds are important ecological sites.

That area of the Humber provides a habitat for river lamprey, occasional grey seals, and the estuary is used by many species of wintering waterbirds. The site supports important breeding populations of bittern, marsh harrier, avocet and little tern. Despite the detailed analysis, the officers decided the application does not impact the wildlife and migrating birds around the traveller site.

Speedier planning decisions are part of a new national mandate

There were emotional scenes in East Riding Council’s County Hall at the end of October when the last area planning sub-committee meetings were held. As part of the change, a national mandate introduced by the Labour government, many housing proposals will bypass elected councillors entirely.

Instead, decisions will be handled by council planning officers behind closed doors under delegated powers. The reforms are intended to cut red tape and to ‘get Britain building’.

But under the changes, residents can no longer ask councillors to ‘call in’ many planning applications for public debate, drastically reducing public scrutiny. It also means the public and journalists will have fewer chances to attend live planning meetings at County Hall.

This has led to deep concerns with East Riding Councillors from across all of its political parties. Cllr Denis Healy (Liberal Democrat – St Mary’s) is particularly saddened by the impact on local people and has previously described it as ‘the death of democracy’.

But the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government are steadfast in the changes. A spokesperson for the government department has previously said: “Our plans modernise planning committees to improve efficiency over decisions so that planning applicants have the clarity they need, and we can deliver quicker for local people.”

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more, visit the Public Notices Portal.