A GYPSY-TRAVELLER family has been given a boost in its hopes to remain on a pitch in Moston following a U-turn by the National Grid.

Cheshire East Council’s southern planning committee turned down a proposal from Dawn Smith for her family to keep caravans on a pitch near Meadowview Park, in Dragons Lane, in May 2019.

It followed an objection from the National Grid over the pitch’s proximity to a high-pressure gas pipeline – which could cause a 400m fireball in an explosion.

Ms Smith has since taken CEC’s decision to appeal – but the National Grid has withdrawn its objection, meaning the council can no longer defend that reason to refuse the plans.

Members of the southern planning committee will now discuss their next steps at a meeting on Wednesday, January 8.

In a report published ahead of the meeting, CEC officers recommend that the council is ‘not to contest the reason for refusal at the appeal’ following the National Grid’s U-turn.

Ms Smith’s family have already been living on the site and want permanent planning permission to remain there.

Alison Heine, who is due to represent Ms Smith in the planning appeal, says that concerns from the National Grid were ‘misunderstood’.

In her appeal case, she added: “[The National Grid] was only concerned with protecting the pipeline and associated infrastructure from any damage and to retain access to the pipeline.

“National Grid has subsequently withdrawn this objection as no part of the proposed development crosses any gas pipeline or lies within 28m of the pipeline.”

The planning application attracted 90 objections from neighbouring residents and opposition from Fiona Bruce, Conservative MP for Congleton.

Cllr John Wray, Conservative member for Brereton Rural, urged the committee to turn down the proposal in his ward at the meeting on May 29, 2019.

He said: “The pipeline isn’t a temporary pipeline, it is a permanent pipeline, the danger isn’t a temporary danger, it is a permanent danger. If something should happen it could be quite catastrophic.”

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CEC officers told councillors at the meeting that the council is 19 short of the number of gypsy-traveller sites it needs for the next decade – which would help Ms Smith secure planning permission at appeal.