A controversial application to build a traveller pitch on a historic World War Two orphanage site has sparked outrage among residents in Sonning Common, Oxfordshire.
John and Cindy Ayres have submitted plans to place a mobile home on the land near Henley-on-Thames, despite having a previous application rejected.
The proposal has drawn significant local opposition, with villagers branding it "unsuitable" and "inappropriate".
The site holds significant historical importance as part of a former Second World War camp that housed more than 300 orphans who were relocated from London during the Blitz.
An aerial view of the site off Gallowstree Road in Sonning Common, Oxfordshire
Google Street View
Two deteriorating buildings from this period still remain on the land.
The area is also located within an area of outstanding natural beauty, adjacent to Bishopswood recreation ground.
This is the Ayres' second attempt after their 2022 application for two traveller pitches was rejected on appeal in January last year.
Their renewed bid comes as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has introduced new planning policies that will compel local councils to release green belt land for traveller sites where there is an "unmet need" for pitches.
Currently, traveller sites are not permitted on green belt land.
More than 20 locals have already objected to the plans, raising concerns about the site's proximity to a nursery and playing fields.
David Phillips wrote on the planning portal: "The proposal is out of settlement and inappropriate given adjacency to nursery school and playing fields."
Local Jonathon Edney added: "The heavy toll the proposed development will have on both the children's nursery and the nearby playing fields is in my opinion too heavy a cost to bear."
The Ayres have highlighted in their application to South Oxfordshire District Council that their plans address a shortage of traveller sites in the county.
According to the Henley Standard, there are currently only ten traveller sites in south Oxfordshire, representing a shortfall of 34 pitches.
The applicants claim their site would be "sensitively designed" and propose enclosing the pitch with native hedgerows and reinforcing existing boundary shrubs.
MORE PLANNING ROWS:
John and Cindy Ayres have submitted plans to place a mobile home on the land near Henley-on-Thames (not pictured)
Geograph
The case echoes a similar situation in nearby Goring-on-Thames, where traveller Nelson Rogers successfully appealed to continue living in a mobile home on land opposite the village cemetery.
Despite dozens of local objections, the Planning Inspectorate granted permission after Rogers argued the district council lacked a five-year supply of traveller pitches.
This decision came despite concerns about development in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Labour's planning overhaul, announced in December, aims to build 1.5 million homes over five years by changing green belt protections.
The updated National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that "demonstrable unmet need" for traveller sites can justify releasing green belt land for new developments.
The Government is also ordering councils to review green belt boundaries to identify lower-quality "grey belt" land suitable for building.
