A traveller family from Huntingdonshire have been given permission to create seven new homes on their site.

A planning application was submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council to create seven new pitches at Legacy Park in Somersham, which is occupied by a family of travellers.

At the Development Management Committee on July 15, planning officers told the panel that the site is at high risk of flooding, but despite that, there are already eight pitches at Legacy Park.

Lewis Tomlinson, a planning officer at Huntingdonshire District Council, told the committee that the officer recommendation is for temporary planning permission for the next five years.

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Councillor Richard Sutton, a member of the Somersham Parish Council, spoke at the meeting to object to the plans. 

He told the panel: "Somersham Parish Council objects on several grounds. It's in the open countryside, there's overdevelopment on the site, and Somersham has gone from zero traveller sites to eight in six years."

Cllr Sutton said that the plans would lead to "disturbance", and made a plea to the committee to reject the application.

Michael Hargreaves, the agent for the planning application, said that the pitches are for families. He said councillors should "bare in mind" that the new homes will be for children.

Mr Hargreaves said that Legacy Park is a "well-managed site" and that it is a good location.

He said: "Providing a transit site will help unauthorised encampments. All of the families are in need of accommodation and there is an increase in this need. 

"This is the type of location that works well and it's well screened."

Mr Hargreaves also said that he has confidence that the applicant, a member of the family living at Legacy Park, will comply with all conditions if plans are approved.

Councillor Sam Wakeford said that he, "struggled" to see how the panel could do anything but approve the application.

Councillor Jon Neish said he had "a number of concerns", but was also prepared to approve the application, "as long as councillors keep an eye on specifics".