A GYPSY traveller community in the Wee County will be forced to remove all their caravans from a woodland site, councillors decided last week.

It comes after a traveller community of two related families at Cow Wood near Forestmill sought to renew permission to use the woodland as a permanent site to live.

Elected members of Clackmannanshire Council's Planning Committee last Thursday, January 21, heard how the application sought to extend a temporary planning permission granted in September 2017.

The permission three years ago was granted subject to a number of conditions with the virtual Kilncraigs chamber told that not all have been fully complied with.

For instance, there is no drinking water or sewerage at the site, nor have the applicants erected approved fencing all along the boundaries.

The travelling community at the site sought to renew permission for two years to comply with conditions.

Planning officers suggested permission should be given, but only for one year.

Documents explained that the sad passing of the head of the family and project manager in April 2020 has been a “major setback to the family that has contributed to the outstanding matters above not having been addressed.”

Papers tabled on the day added: “It is acknowledged that the applicants have faced a number of challenges in addressing the planning conditions, which have been outwith their control, but equally that these do not fully justify or explain the lack of progress.

“The site is the main home for the applicant families, but without appropriate screen planting, and in particular without basic amenities, such as electricity, foul drainage and drinking water, its suitability for permanent habitation, in accordance with planning policies, remains in doubt.”

While committee chair Councillor Donald Balsillie moved the recommendation so the formal debate could begin, he found it hard to find a seconder in the meeting.

Cllr Craig Holden said: “My main concern with this is the fact that the applicant has had a considerable period of time to comply with conditions, they have failed to comply with those conditions.

“I'm not particularly optimistic about their ability to comply with those conditions with the extension of a further year.”

Cllr Kenny Earle later added: “I totally agree with what's been said here.

“This is a party here who have basically been sticking two fingers up to the committee since day one.

“From what they have shown, they don't appear to have any intention of actually doing anything.”

However, he did suggest action is delayed until “the Covid situation has been resolved so we don't have caravans moving down the road during restrictions”.

That idea was rejected by Cllr Martha Benny who said: “We can't use Covid as an excuse, Covid is here – it's like using flu as an excuse – Covid is here and will always be here.”

Council officers will be required to initiative enforcement action to remove all caravans and return the site to forestry use.

The applicants do have the right to appeal the decision, however.