Traveller site set up in North Yorkshire ‘without permission’

Residents of Hillam, around nine miles west of Selby, claim that the site in Betteras Hill Road began appearing late in the afternoon of Friday, September 11 and that “hardcore” has been laid down and “fences positioned”.

North Yorkshire Council said it served a temporary notice on Monday for works on the site to stop.

READ MORE: Warning over controversial Traveller site in North Yorkshire

However, Hillam Parish Council said that that order had been breached in a public statement issued this week.

One concerned local, who did not want to provide their name, said the sudden arrival and scale of the site has caused considerable concern among the community.

Betteras Hill Road is single-track and connects the village to the A162 and is largely populated by fields with around 20 houses on its route, particularly close to the village.

North Yorkshire Council’s head of planning control, Martin Grainger, said: “We are aware that a Traveller site has recently been set up in Hillam without planning permission.

“On Monday we served a temporary stop notice which requires work on the site to cease.

“In addition, we are actively progressing further enforcement options.”

In a statement published on its Facebook page, Hillam Parish Council said North Yorkshire Council had provided this update: “A further site visit was undertaken yesterday afternoon at the land off Betteras Hill Road to assess compliance with the Temporary Stop Notice (TSN).

“During the visit, evidence was gathered which indicates that certain activities have continued on the site in breach of the TSN.

“This evidence will be reviewed in consultation with the Council’s Legal Services team to determine the most appropriate course of action in response to the apparent breaches.

“In addition, a further TSN has been served to ensure that all land affected by the unauthorised change of use and associated development is fully covered by the notice.

“The Planning Enforcement team is continuing to work closely with Legal Services to identify and implement measures to prevent any further unauthorised development from taking place.”