Flood Risk Concerns Persist Over Permanent Traveller Site Proposal

A request to establish a traveller site on a Nottinghamshire flood plain as permanent has prompted safety concerns for its residents. Documents indicate that Newark and Sherwood District Council had previously issued temporary planning permission for the traveller site, located off Sandhills Sconce and Tolney Lane in Newark, with the intention of locating an alternative site for the families. After five years, an alternative location with reduced flood risk has not been identified, leading to a new proposal seeking to designate the land as a permanent traveller site. While residents expressed feeling secure at the location, both Newark Town Council and the Environment Agency have voiced objections to the proposal. The district council, serving as the planning authority for this matter, stated its inability to comment on an application that had not yet been reviewed by a planning committee. Presently, occupants of this site, along with those on adjacent plots off Tolney Lane also inhabited by travellers, depend on flood warnings and, when required, evacuate to a nearby lorry park. Vicky Botton, a resident of a neighboring site for 35 years, expressed her conviction that the location is appropriate for families as a permanent site, especially when contrasted with previous accommodations. The 72-year-old stated, “I do think this is suitable. We’ve had to stay in the most filthy places in the past- there’s nothing wrong with this place.” She added, “It’s up to the individuals to go up to the lorry park when we get flood warnings.” She further mentioned that she and others in her community had experienced being “bullied and even forcibly removed” from other locations, but affirmed that they felt “safe” at the current site. The council had previously denied requests to lift the temporary status of the planning permission. The Environment Agency had previously opposed these earlier requests and, regarding the current application, confirmed that its stance remains unaltered. The agency’s comments indicated its ongoing commitment to “work closely with the local planning authority on a potential flood alleviation scheme.” However, the agency stated that until such a scheme is implemented, it continues to be “concerned about the risk posed to residents during extreme flood events” and will maintain its objection to the proposals. Newark Town Council noted that the site is situated on a flood plain and is not designated as a “proposed allocated site” within the district council’s development plans. A spokesperson for the district council indicated that the application is scheduled for discussion early next year.