Travellers' plans for Lancaster crash site are refused
Travellers who settled on a site where a second world war Lancaster bomber crashed have been refused permission to live there.
Countless lives were saved in Screveton by the actions of the Australian pilot of Lancaster W4103, Flight Lieutenant Patrick Laidler, when he steered his burning plane away from homes following a mid-air collision with an Airspeed Oxford, LB415.
There were no survivors from either aircraft on April 14, 1944 - 11 lives were lost - but there were no injuries or fatalities on the ground.
The Travellers asked for planning permission to live on the green field site in Screveton, which they own, but moved several caravans onto the land before that application was determined. They have also added hardstanding, fencing and a children's playground.
The local planning authority, Rushcliffe Borough Council, refused the planning application for the site off Flintham Road, which the Travellers want to call Lancaster View, today (Tuesday) under their delegated powers, without it going to committee.
The application called for planning consent for the material change of use of the land to allow for caravans for residential occupation on six plots; hard-standing; landscaping; an access road; fencing; utility buildings; sewage treatment; and soakaways.
It was refused because the site is deemed to be in the open countryside, and Government policy is that such sites in open countryside should be limited in number.
It was judged to be inappropriate development, contrary to the borough’s Core Strategy and the National Policy Framework, and it is said to exceed the need for the number of plots that must be provided in Rushcliffe.
The borough council, which recently granted permission for a Gypsy and Traveller transit site in Clifton, began enforcement action on the site to deter further development and to restore it to its former state, before refusing the application. This was because the land has been settled illegally.
Residents the Advertiser spoke to said they owed the pilots of the Lancaster and Oxford a debt for steering their crippled aircraft away from the hamlet, saving lives on the ground. Both aircraft were on training sorties when they collided.
Their sacrifice is marked through a service on Remembrance Sunday every year when palm crosses are laid where the aircraft came down.
Ninety-three of the 100 people who live in Screveton signed a petition opposing the application.
Objectors include the Australian High Commissioner to Britain, the Honourable Alexander Downer, on behalf of Flight Lieutenant Laidler and his family.
Other objectors include the Labour former Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer; and the Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield, Andrew Mitchell, who was Secretary of State for International Development. Both have homes in the area.
The High Court Judge, Sir Robert Hildyard QC, of Flintham Hall, is also opposed.
'I hope they understand the feeling of the village'
Newark MP Robert Jenrick and local county and borough councillors and the parish meeting were also opposed.
Speaking on behalf of Screveton, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Mr Keith Girling, said: “It is the right decision.
"I hope now that the developers accept the decision of the council and see the field they occupy for what it is - a memorial; a place where people lost their lives to save a village.
"I hope they understand the feeling of the village and respect that."
The elected member for Newark, who served in the Grenadier Guards, said the issue took on extra meaning as 2018 is the centenary anniversary of the RAF.
The Travellers did not apply for a licence under the 1986 Protection of Military Remains Act from the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) to disturb a military crash site where, although the bodies were removed at the time, there may still be human remains.
It is an offence under the Act to tamper with, damage, move or unearth any items at such sites, unless the MOD has issued a licence authorising such activity.
All military aircraft crash sites in the United Kingdom are controlled sites under the Protection of Military Remains Act.
The Act states anyone wishing to disturb ground must apply for a licence at least three months before they intend to begin work.
It says a licence will not be issued if human remains are likely to be found at the site.
Should the MOD learn that items recovered have not been declared to the JCCC, or that items have been recovered or disposed of contrary to the terms of the Act, the licensee or individual concerned will be liable to prosecution.
Mr Jenrick has asked Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to look into enforcement of the Act.
The agent for the applicants, Alison Heine, of Heine Planning Consultancy, previously told the Advertiser that the land hadn't been disturbed.
Reacting to the refusal, Mrs Heine, who has represented the Travelling community for 20 years, said: “The reasons for refusal are very interesting indeed.
"I will be studying the reasons for the refusal with the applicants.
"The council is not offering them anywhere else to live.
"Don't be surprised if we go to appeal."
She added that concerns raised by residents regarding its status as a crash site had not been cited by the borough council for refusing the application.