Berkshire traveller site consultation

A public consultation has been launched into the proposed upgrade of a Gypsy Traveller site at Upton Nervet in West Berkshire.

Four Houses Corner site, which has been in operation since 1982, was cleared and fully demolished between 2020 and 2022 to pave the way for a comprehensive renewal.

Originally permitted for 21 Traveller pitches in 1981, only 18 pitches were provided at that time.

The new proposal aims for 17 pitches with individual dayroom accommodation, with each pitch designed to take either one static caravan or two tourer caravans.

The dayroom accommodation consists of 30sqms of internal space and with residents sleeping in caravan accommodation.

Denise Gaines (Lib Dem, Hungerford and Kintbury), executive member for highways, housing and sustainable travel at West Berkshire Council, said:

“The council has a statutory duty to assess the need for Traveller site accommodation and where a requirement is identified, that need must be met.

“In the case of Four Houses Corner, part of the site became unfit for purpose hence the need to demolish and rebuild it as the former residents of this site constitute a group with a known housing need.

“We are conducting a public consultation as required for our own development schemes, but we are aware this application will attract the public’s attention.

“I would encourage the public to take part and have their say so that views from the public on the proposals help with the decision making process.”

For more information and to have your say on the consultation, please visit: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/four-houses-corner and submit your views by 5pm on December 15, 2023.