A FORMER builders’ yard in Haddenham could soon be home to a small traveller’s site under plans submitted to the district council.

The Hod Hall Lane yard has already been the subject of two failed planning applications in recent years, but determined developers have returned for a third time to seek approval to turn the land into a travellers site housing three pitches.

The application has been put in once again by Mr M Ruszkiewicz, who was refused permission in 2008 and 2009 because council planners said there were would be too many pitches on the site.

On this occasion however, developers Parkin Planning Services, acting for Mr Ruszkiewicz, said:

“The applicant seeks permission for a family pitch to provide accommodation for him, his wife, his two adult children and their partners.

“His wife was born in Ely Grange Hospital. Members of her family have lived in and around Ely and some are buried here. They would like to return to the area where they have strong family ties.

“The applicant’s nephew already lives on an authorised site at Hod Hall Lane.

“The gypsy status of the family has previously been accepted by the district council.”

When the last plans were submitted in 2009, the district council received 40 letters of objection from Haddenham residents, with the parish council and district councillors also raising serious concerns about access, drainage and flooding.

Under the current plans however, developers say that the site would not generate heavy traffic and access points would be improved if necessary. According to the district council, the authority will be required to provide an additional 38 pitches for the gypsies and travelling showpeople over the next 20 years, with 157 pitches already available across the district.

A decision on the plans is expected within the next eight weeks, to have your say visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk.