Traveller site planned for land between Stubbington and Titchfield in Fareham borough is thrown out over countryside ‘erosion’ fears
A family’s bid for a permanent site has been turned down by councillors
Plans for a traveller caravan site on a country paddock have been thrown out after councillors warned it could mark the “start of erosion” of protected land.
More than 100 objections were made over retrospective proposals for two static caravans at Chestnut Paddocks off Titchfield Road in Fareham.
The application sought permission to change the site’s use to a mixed equestrian and residential caravan site for one traveller family.
It would have officially allowed the existing caravans to remain on the land between Titchfield and Stubbington, as well as a hard-surfaced access track which has already been built.
Planning officers had recommended that councillors approve the plans at a Fareham Borough Council planning committee meeting on August 12.
Officers concluded the small-scale development would not significantly damage the Meon Strategic Gap or the area’s special landscape quality.
But members voted six to three to refuse the scheme.
Cllr Connie Hockley said residents repeatedly contacted her to oppose the development and warned against allowing building within the strategic gap – protected countryside intended to prevent Titchfield and Stubbington from merging.
The Conservative councillor for Titchfield said: “I do not care if it is 10 caravans or 10 houses; I do not want anything built on the land. I think this could be the start of erosion.”
She added: “Over the years, I have had a very strong opinion that the strategic gap should be protected. We have had 118 residents write in about this, and I have had calls and emails from residents opposing this. This is quite a complex development that has to be thought through very carefully.”
Cllr Kay Mandry, Conservative for Hill Head, said she was troubled by the fact the application had been submitted after the development was carried out.
She told the meeting: “The temporary planning for the site expired in 2025 and they are still here in 2026. I do have a problem with retrospective planning applications. People sometimes think they can do the work and get the permission later, and that is my problem.”
Labour councillor for Fort Fareham Gemma Furnivall spoke in support of the plans.
She said: “I do think we have a responsibility to our gypsy-traveller families. This seems to me to be a sensible place, especially if we are going to have it right on the edge of the land.”