Colchester traveller could be forced to move on from home

Mr Thursting has lived on the site in Bourne Road, Colchester, since he purchased it in 2021.

It comprises of a static mobile home, one tourer caravan, an amenity block and a double lock-up garage.

Colchester Council had allowed the resident to use it as a traveller site.

Home - the land off Bourne Road in Colchester is used as a traveller site (Image: Google)

However, the council has now said Mr Thursting, a landscape gardener, will have to vacate the land unless he can improve its access arrangements.

It came as the resident applied for permission to continue living on the site.

Mr Thursting said he has built up a “reputable” gardening business in Colchester and Tendring which operated from the Bourne Road land.

A planning decision issued by the council cited issues with the land’s makeshift access track and the fact it falls in a Special Protection Area as the reasons for rejecting the application.

Safety fears - concerns were raised about the makeshift track off Bourne Road used to access the site (Image: Google)

Officers also said the “insufficient” bid did not allow for a thorough assessment of what the application entailed.

A report reads: “The proposal fails to provide a vehicular access of sufficient width to enable efficient and convenient access manoeuvres for emergency vehicles or refuse freighters.

“The proposal is likely to lead to excessive manoeuvring and or reversing by these large vehicles into the highway.”

The concerns were echoed by residents who also claimed excessive noise could be heard due to the applicant reportedly working at the site.

Planning application - the resident had applied for permission to continue living on the land (Image: Google)

One said: “There are already large vehicles towing trailers for machinery, along with workshops and outbuildings housing noisy machinery.

“[These can] operate for long periods and be heard from houses surrounding the site.”

Another objector added: “My property has already been damaged by commercial vehicles in daily use on the site.”

In his application, Mr Thursting claimed his needs as a traveller have altered since he launched his business.

His planning statement adds: “There is no outward harm caused by the development in terms of impact on the surrounding neighbours and the site can only be considered as a sustainable location.”