THE expansion of a caravan park for Gypsies and Travellers in Finchampstead has been given the green light.

Four pitches will be added to the park, which is next to 166 Nine Mile Ride, taking the total to eight.

Wokingham Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved the controversial plans at a meeting on Wednesday, September 9.

The committee refused to approve the plans in August due to concerns about the layout of the park.

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But they were then altered, to ensure each pitch is provided with more space and two car parking spaces.

An extra condition was then imposed which states the caravans must remain at least five metres away from the boundary of the site.

Council planning officers say the expansion “would not have a detrimental impact” on the environment, people living near the site and the surrounding roads.

In a report, officers also state the project ‘will help towards meeting the council’s statutory duty’ to provide accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Cllr Carl Doran said: “I did have concerns about the layout, but they seem to have been assuaged by what’s happened.

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“The only thing I will say is I’m still a bit concerned about the gap between the caravans and residents at the side of The Dittons (a nearby residential road).

“If it’s too far away, that will turn into the amenity space and obviously you don’t want it to be too big either.”

The Planning Committee ultimately approved the application, concluding that the development would not harm the area.

In March 2017, the council agreed to supply land to meet demand for Gypsy and Traveller pitches in Wokingham until 2028.

The council also determined that it would need to provide another 11 pitches by 2022.