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I wish to object to the proposed Gypsy and Traveller sites GTalt03 and GT19.

Both sites are in the green belt and no special circumstances have been demonstrated to suggest that development should be allowed on either plot.

The Government's own guidance issued in March 2012 re traveller sites (accompanies the National Planning Policy Framework) reconfirms that in plan making and decision taking (re traveller sites) Local Authorities should specifically avoid inappropriate development in Green Belts. The allocation of these sites will go against that guidance.

Apart from arguing & stating the green belt policy principle, it is also worthwhile reinforcing that the development would in actual fact as well as in policy terms be inappropriate - it would 'harm' the Green Belt by reducing the degree of 'openness' (The appraisal notes that GT alt03 in particular is open). Arguments for the value of the sites in terms of how their contribution to the green belt - contributing to 'openness' and to separating urban areas from each other are also relevant here. Furthermore development on the sites would be prominent/visually intrusive and the recommendation of an owner is not a relevant variable in the context of Green Belt policy.

I urge you not to consider either of these sites any further and abandon your proposals. There are a number of "brownfield" sites in the County which are more appropriate.