Travellers’ site near Northamptonshire village told to dismantle by authorities
Planning inspector upholds council's enforcement notice after appeals
A planning inspector has ruled that an unauthorised Travellers' site at Oakley Park near Middleton must be dismantled, upholding North Northamptonshire Council's enforcement notice issued nearly two years ago.
The site initially expanded to house 10 caravans without planning permission, with retrospective approval granted to the larger park through appeals. However, owners continued to expand the site further, exceeding limitations set by the council.
Pressure from Middleton Parish Council and Middleton Residents Action Group (RAG) led to the issuance of enforcement notices in September 2024 against the unauthorised expansion, which were appealed by the owners.
Planning inspector Mark Harbottle highlighted that a "different residential caravan site development" had commenced unlawfully without adhering to conditions tied to the original permission, including road access, landscaping, biodiversity, drainage, refuse storage, and lighting.
Consequently, the owners are compelled to comply with the enforcement notice, removing all caravans and dismantling structures and infrastructure within three months, with land restoration required within five months.
Responding to the decision, a RAG spokesperson expressed approval, stating, "Local councils have a duty to uphold planning regulations and cannot turn a blind eye to egregious and intentional breaches such as Oakley Park."
"This is indicative of a broader national issue of intentional unauthorised development," they added.
North Northamptonshire Council acknowledged the inspector's ruling, affirming that unauthorised development and caravan storage occurred and the site does not benefit from planning permission.
“The Inspector concluded that the 2023 planning permission relied upon by the appellant had not been lawfully commenced,” said a council spokesperson.
"Council officers will now consider the inspector’s decision in full and take necessary steps to secure compliance with the upheld enforcement notice."
The upheld notice is live from the inspector's decision date, 12th May 2026.