THE permanent siting of static and touring caravans for a gypsy family in Christchurch is set to be granted, despite significant objections from a national environment organisation.

Proposals to vary conditions of an existing application to change the use of land in Dudmoor Farm Road go before Christchurch Borough Council's planning committee on Thursday (19.10).

A planning officer has recommended approval of the plans from applicants John Gaskin and Bee Gaskin, who currently have temporary permission for the Green Belt site.

The proposals would have been granted under delegation, however after objections were raised by Natural England, the council's planning department referred it to the committee.

A response from Natural England highlighted concerns in relation to having a permanent residential unit at the site and the ongoing effects this could have.

Nick Squirrell, Natural England's regional conservation and planning lead advisor, said: "In our view this proposal is of a nature that, in its context with the European sites and the

vulnerability of interest features to residential development effects, is likely to have a significant effect both on the SPA [Special Protection Area] and the SAC [Special Area of Conservation], at least in combination with other plans and projects. "

Natural England also highlighted fears the type of permanent permission proposed would be "opening the door" to a subsequent application to make the site permanently occupied, with subsequent applications for a house to be built.

Christchurch Borough Council's planning policy manager said the site has been occupied by the applicants since 2006 and the temporary permissions that have been granted over the last 12 years would suggest approving the application for permanent, personal consent, would have a "very minimal" impact on the nearby heathland.

Planning officer Kevin Chilvers recommended granting the scheme, with a series of conditions, which include that the permitted use shall cease when the land is no longer occupied by the applicants and their dependents.

"The proposals represent inappropriate development in the Green Belt," Mr Chilvers said.

"In this particular case, regard has been had to the length of time that the applicants have benefited from planning permission for occupation of the site (including an appeal decision), and that the current consent runs until September 25 2020.

"It is considered inevitable that part of the demand for gypsy and traveller sites in the area will need to be met through site in the green belt due to a lack of alternatives."