Plans have been submitted to change the use of land in a Calderdale village into a six-pitch gypsy and traveller family site.

Retrospective permission for the changes at stables at West View in Stainland has been applied for.

Last year Calderdale Council granted a lawful development certificate for one gypsy and traveller pitch at the site, comprising one mobile home, four touring caravans, a day room, a utility block and a storage shed.

Planning officers agreed the certificate could be granted as there was sufficient evidence to show the site had been used continuously for ten years for one gypsy and traveller pitch as described.

The new application seeks to change use of the land to the six-pitch site, with access as existing onto Church Lane.

Supporting statements with the application say the proposed use is as a family traveller site, which in effect is a residential development.

“No commercial uses of the site are proposed though this planning application.

“Furthermore, the setting and position of the development site and proposed pitches, means that there would be no impact on residential amenity.

“The layout of the site ensures that the occupiers of the site would also have a considerable amount of amenity and area space, whilst there would be no direct overlooking,” they say.

The site is identified in Calderdale’s Local Plan as a housing allocation site, so developing it for gypsy and traveller pitch accommodation is acceptable in principle, say the agents.

The agents say local planning authorities should ensure that traveller sites are sustainable economically, socially and environmentally.

Council policies should promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community, promote, access to appropriate health services, ensure children can attend school on a regular basis and provide a settled base that reduces both the need for long-distance travelling and possible environmental damage caused by unauthorised encampment.

Policies should also provide for proper consideration of the effect of local environmental quality the health and well-being of any travellers that may locate there, or on others because of new development, and avoid placing undue pressure on local infrastructure and services, according to the supporting statements.