Caravan site approvals, court ruling and compliance check across UK

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners have approved a seasonal campsite on a former scrapyard site near Haverfordwest. The site will operate from March 31 to September 30, with 11 motorhome pitches, tent pitches, and three shepherd's huts that will be removed off-season. The application was recommended for approval despite objections from The Havens Community Council on highway safety grounds, which were withdrawn after further technical information was submitted.

A traveller family has applied for retrospective planning permission to retain a caravan pitch on land south of Back Lane in Stanfield, Norfolk. The site is used as a private single-family plot by Mr Atkins, who lives there with his pregnant partner and four children from a previous marriage who visit frequently. It includes a static caravan, three outbuildings (garage, kennel block, and a gym/bar building), and an ornamental pond. Previous enforcement action was taken due to council objections over highway visibility and drainage, but the applicant argues that refusal or eviction would cause 'disproportionate hardship'. Breckland Council will decide on the application (ref. PL/2026/0953/FMIN) at a later date.

Simon McDonagh, who set up an illegal camp, has been taken to court. He had no planning permission to change the use of agricultural fields into a traveller site. Stafford Borough Council obtained an interim injunction to prevent McDonagh from continuing to develop the site and allowing more caravans onto the land. Despite a Stop Notice and the injunction, McDonagh continued bringing hardcore onto the land for further development. He was given a two-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for breaching the injunction. The injunction has been extended to December 2031. The court ordered McDonagh to remove caravans, trailers, plant machinery, a perimeter fence, hardcore, pipes, and a septic tank from the site.

South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) inspected around 70 caravans at Smithy Fen, Cottenham, on June 10 to verify compliance with regulations. The visit focused on the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, covering health, safety, spacing, water supply, drainage, and fire safety. Language support and police were present. Any identified breaches will be addressed through lawful and proportionate processes.

Wiltshire Council has granted permission for additional travellers pitches at a site in Littleton, Semington. The application sought approval for nine gypsy/traveller pitches, a communal day room, and a new access road. The decision, made on May 27, followed an assessment that found no adverse impacts outweighing the need for additional accommodation.