A proposal has been put forward for a Gypsy and Traveller facility at a rural property in Watlington, seeking authorisation for an already-constructed pitch.
The request was lodged with South Oxfordshire District Council by Oasis Land Management UK Ltd acting for Matthew Curtis on May 5.
The scheme involves converting land at Forget Me Not Farm close to Christmas Common in Watlington for residential caravan accommodation for a single Gypsy or Traveller household, comprising one static caravan, one touring caravan, and a supporting facilities structure.
These modifications have already been implemented at the property, but authorisation is now being sought to legalise the existing development.
Planning consent was awarded the previous year for converting the same location from farmland to private horse-related activities.
The submission highlighted that the authority must ensure an adequate five-year provision of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation, and in South Oxfordshire, 68 pitches are needed against the current 54 available.
According to the applicant, Article 8 of the Human Right Act 1998 creates a positive obligation to facilitate the Gypsy way of life, and refusing the application would interfere with the applicant’s home and family life. The applicant also argued that no adverse impacts would demonstrably outweigh the benefits, and therefore planning permission should be granted.
South Oxfordshire District Council is examining the proposal, which is available for public comment through its planning portal.