Angus councillors approved enforcement action on a former Travellers’ site that had been the subject of a Scottish Government appeal.
A site in Hillside will now be cleared after the local authority’s development services committee heard a permanent caravan was part of an “attempt to circumvent rules on housing.”
An agent for the site’s owner P Forsyth, whose address is given as Stonehaven, said his client “merely wanted to get the benefit out of land he owned”.
Deputy service director Ian Mitchell said of the land to the south of Kinnaber Road: “There’s been a history of sporadic use by temporary caravans, and the department has been consulted in each case and moved them on.”
In 2009, the Scottish Government dismissed an appeal for housing on the site, which the council had “previously resisted”.
Reporter Trevor Croft stated at that time: “Although the site may be considered brownfield in that it has formerly been used as a Travellers’ caravan site, and to provide accommodation for foreign workers, the council states that these were unauthorised.”
Mr Mitchell added that a recent application for a residential caravan park and the incumbent unit “seemed to have been an attempt to circumvent rules on housing in the countryside”.
“Officers have visited the site on a number of occasions and there is no evidence the site is occupied, however the caravan still needs planning permission to be there,” he added
Councillor Bill Duff asked whether a cabin structure adjacent to the caravan has planning permission, to which the answer was negative.
Councillor Alex King asked how long the structure had been there, to which the answer was at least 2010.
Mr Queripel, an agent for Mr Forsyth said his client “merely wanted to obtain some benefit from his land” and approached him for ideas on how to do so.
“I advised him that, given the site, he would have some scope for a few holiday caravans,” he said.
“I have submitted an application to the council and would ask the committee to delay enforcement action until this is determined.
“My client maintains he is not causing any nuisance to neighbours or anyone, and wants to get the benefit of his land in accordance with planning rules.”
Councillors agreed unanimously with a report recommending enforcement action.