The controversial planning application was granted approval by a government inspector in July against Barnet Council’s wishes, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

A horse in a field in Mays Lane, Chipping Barnet — The field in Mays Lane currently is used to graze horses (credit Office of Theresa Villiers MP)

Barnet Council is challenging a decision to approve a Traveller’s caravan site on Green Belt land in Chipping Barnet.

The council submitted an application to the High Court challenging a planning inspector’s decision in July to grant approval for two Traveller caravan pitches for two families in a two-acre paddock next to Mays Lane.

The council itself refused the plan in December 2023 on grounds it was an “inappropriate development” but the applicant, Patrick Casey, appealed the decision, which was then determined by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

Graham Chamberlain, the planning inspector who heard the case, said the “special circumstances” of the two families outweighed any potential harm to the Green Belt.

But now the High Court will decide whether a judicial review of the decision will be heard.

It’s understood that damage to the Green Belt is the issue the council argues has not been fully considered.

A council spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment on this matter at this time, as it is the subject of ongoing litigation.”

Gina Theodorou, chair of the Quinta Village Green Residents Association, which has raised concerns around the plan, welcomed the bid by the council for a judicial review and said: “We think that the harm to the Green Belt and open space should have outweighed the personal circumstances, and we’re a bit puzzled how the inspector came to his decision.”

She added: “We are also worried about the flooding [risk] in the area, the highways issues of the caravans coming and going during religious festivals.

“The site neighbours religious buildings, it’s not a massive thing, but there could be hundreds of visitors during events and the combination [proximity] was what we were worried about.”

The association has ‘rule six’ status, meaning they will be considered a ‘main party’ if the review goes ahead.

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