Plans for traveller site get go ahead

The site, just off Cramfit Road, will be used to store fairground equipment during the winter months, and house travelling showmen and their families in eight mobile trailers.

A report to planning board members said: “The applicant has stated that each family member is a member of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and that only travelling show people would be allowed to occupy the site.”

The applicant William Percival also submitted a supporting statement from guild, which outlined why sites like this are required by its members.

It read: “The provision of winter quarters and the loss of fairgrounds are of constant concern to the guild.”

“When the travelling season is over, the showman needs a permanent base where he and his family can spend the winter months.”

“Ideally it should be within reach of schools and shops, and be large enough to enable him to carry out the vital maintenance work on his equipment.”

Mr Percival told the meeting he understood that some residents were concerned about them using the site. But he assured them they would not suffer the same problems they experienced when the site was occupied previously.

“I want to assure them that what happened before will not happen with us,” he said.

“We are local people from Rotherham and have run this fair for over 100 years.”

“Where we are now is too small and there is nowhere for our children to play. This site in North Anston is ideal for what we want to do.”

He told the meeting the site would only be occupied from October to March, and that large vehicles would only be moved on and off the site to undergo MOTs.

“We are looking to make this site something to be proud of for the showmen,” he added.

Planning committee member Coun Gerald Smith said a similar site in Whiston has created no problems for the local community.

“We had all sorts of objections to that site and there have been no problems and I think this will be the same,” he said.

“These people work at Rotherham show with us every year. They are Rotherham people who do a good job and I think we should support them.”

Only Dinnington councillor Simon Tweed said he would be objecting to the plans as he thought the roads in the area were not suitable for the sort of large vehicles in question.

He said: “I cannot support this application. Knowing the area and the roads, they are not suitable for this type of vehicle - the roads are too narrow.”

Despite Coun Tweed’s concerns the application was granted by the committee.