A TRAVELLER community will be allowed to remain on a Forestmill woodland site after a Clackmannanshire Council decision was overturned by the government.

Representatives on the Planning Committee last week heard how a reporter appointed by the Scottish Government has overturned a decision to refuse permission for the site at Cow Wood.

The committee originally refused to renew a permission for two related families to use the woodland as a permanent site to live, having granted a temporary three-year permission earlier in September 2017.

When the renewal was refused earlier in January this year, the virtual Kilncraigs chamber heard the site was allowed subject to a number of conditions, not all of which have been fully complied with.

For instance, there was no drinking water or sewerage at the site and electricity was provided by a generator.

The travelling community at the site sought to renew permission for two years to comply with conditions and planning officers originally suggested permission should be given, but only for one year.

It was noted that the applicants faced a number of challenges in addressing conditions with the sad passing of the head of the family and project manager in April 2020 but there was no full justification to explain the lack of progress.

Documents tabled at the time said: “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.”

Councillors had expressed pessimism about the applicants' ability to comply with conditions, considering there had already been a “considerable period of time” to do so.

They were also concerned about the conditions children there lived in.

The applicants lodged an appeal with the Scottish Ministers and the appointed reporter has overturned the council decision, granting permission for a two-year period and subject to conditions.

The reporter appointed by the government concluded that “while the proposed development does not accord overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan, granting temporary planning permission is justified when taking account of the needs of the Gypsy/Traveller families involved and the potential for the provision of services and adverse visual effects to be satisfactorily addressed through conditions”.

Councillors heard about the overturned decision at last Thursday's, November 4, Planning Committee meeting, expressing disappointment and frustration.

Cllr Martha Benny said: “The thing I really get frustrated and annoyed at is this is now going to be five years – not two years.

“It's [going to be] five years since they started and five years we are still sitting without electricity, water – nothing's been done in the three years, now we are going to give them another two years.”

She added: “I love being on planning [committee] but sometimes we are toothless, sometimes we just don't have any control over this.”

Cllr Chris Dixon agreed, expressing concern for the welfare of children there.

However, a planning officer explained education and children's services matters were not for the government reporter to assess.