Plans to establish a permanent 'eco-friendly' base for Gypsies and Travellers within the cherished Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have ignited a firestorm of local opposition, pitting promises of sustainability against fears of urbanising the protected landscape.
The contentious proposal, which has now received the council's approval, designates a plot of land for use as a private permanent transit site. This would provide a legal stopping place for families with a historical travelling connection to the area, offering an alternative to unauthorised encampments.
'Concreting Over the Green Belt': Locals React
Residents and local councillors have reacted with fury, branding the decision a 'disgrace' that threatens the very character of the Green Belt. Central to their anger is the perceived irony of the development's 'eco-friendly' label, which they argue is meaningless when the project involves concreting over a rural haven.
Critics have slammed the planning process, accusing the council of a lack of transparency and failing to properly consult the local community. The core fear is that approving one site will set a dangerous precedent, opening the floodgates for further development within the AONB and eroding its protected status.
The Council's Defence: A Sustainable Solution
In defence of the approval, planning officers and the site's proponents emphasise the project's designed sustainability. The plans reportedly include measures for biodiversity net gain, rainwater harvesting, and the use of renewable energy sources, aiming to create a low-impact development.
Officials argue that providing an authorised site is a pragmatic solution to a long-standing issue. It aims to reduce the number of unauthorised encampments in the area, which often lead to costly clean-up operations and tensions with the settled community, while fulfilling a legal obligation to address the accommodation needs of Travellers.
The debate highlights the intense pressure on Green Belt land across the Home Counties and the profound clash between development needs and environmental conservation. As the plans move forward, the community's deep-seated resentment signals a significant and ongoing battle for the future of the Chiltern countryside.
