Plans to create two new travellers' pitches behind the allotments in Walton, a small village near Street in Somerset, have been submitted for approval. The site, located on East Mead Lane and currently home to five stables and an agricultural barn under construction, is proposed to include pitches for mobile homes, space for touring caravans, and a communal day room.
The proposed development lies just west of Walton’s allotments and close to a forthcoming mixed residential and commercial development of 78 homes behind The Royal Oak pub. Access to the site would be provided via a new road connecting to East Mead Lane. Screening through a combination of new and mature hedgerows will help blend the development with the surrounding countryside while maintaining privacy.
Representing applicant Mark Goddard, Stokes Morgan Planning Ltd highlighted the site’s advantages, including its walking distance from Walton village center and nearby bus stops offering regular connections to Street and beyond. They emphasized the adequacy of the entrance for vehicles towing caravans, as well as sufficient on-site parking and space for vehicle maneuvers.
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The applicants, an ethnic Gypsy and Traveller family, seek a secure and permanent pitch. Notably, Somerset Council continues to face a shortage of authorised gypsy and traveller sites in the former Mendip district. These new pitches would help meet this need, situated in a suitable, flood-free location without significant planning objections.
Due to the site’s location within the River Brue catchment, additional environmental measures are required to prevent phosphate pollution on the sensitive Somerset Levels and Moors. To address this, the plan includes installing two package treatment plants. These facilities will chemically treat sewage from the mobiles to reduce phosphate levels before discharge into local waterways.
Somerset Council is anticipated to reach a decision on the proposals within the next six months, likely by early autumn.