CAMPAIGNERS have won a long-running battle against a proposed gipsy site.
More than 40 protesters from the Ewloe Green Action Group packed a meeting yesterday to see county planners throw out the application for a five-caravan site off Magazine Lane.
Speaking against the application, Ewloe Green resident Pat Williams said the site was unsuitable for anyone to live on due to noise, drainage concerns and distance from amenities.
She said: “We strongly object on the grounds of openness. This is green belt land. It will destroy the character of the land.
“Once green belt land is gone, it is gone for good.”
She added increased traffic could pose a danger to young families who walk their children down the single track lane to Ewloe Green Primary School.
Planning officers recommended the application, which had received more than 270 objections since it was lodged in August, 2010, for refusal, citing “no demonstrable need”.
Applicant Martin Rooney could now appeal the decision and take the matter to a planning inquiry.
Planning agent Matthew Green, of Green Planning Solutions, speaking on behalf of Mr Rooney said the decision for refusal was an “error”.
He said: “It is clear there is a need, recent appeal decisions show there is a need.”
Mr Green warned the council would be in a position of liability in terms of the costs of a successful appeal if the application was refused.
But planning officers said the reasons for refusal were “relevant, valid and defenceable”.
The planning committee visited the site on Monday.
Mold councillor Chris Bithell, a member of the committee, said the site is unsuitable because it is waterlogged and was affected by loud noise from the A55.
He said: “Other authorities have done nothing for travellers. We have gone out of our way to meet the needs of the travelling and gipsy community, and quite rightly so.”
The committee voted unanimously to refuse the application and a second, identical application, which was lodged in November.
Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Williams said: “We are pleased with the result. It shows what we felt all along it should not have got to this stage.”
Mr Green confirmed he would be advising Mr Rooney to appeal the decision.