# Land south of Caves Lane, Walkeringham

- **Decision:** allowed, 1 September 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: M Brooker
- **Authority:** Bassetlaw (East Midlands)
- **Appeal reference:** 6007837
- **Application reference:** 24/01297/COU
- **Procedure:** hearing
- **Development:** Change of use to one-family Gypsy/Traveller site (two caravans, dayroom, improved access)
- **Site context:** open-countryside, rural-lane
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** December 2024 NPPF (transitional)
- **Determinative policies:** TR6(4)
- **Development plan policies:** Bassetlaw Local Plan ST30, ST53, Walkeringham Neighbourhood Plan Policy 1
- **Main issues:** highway safety
- **Tags:** tier-2, travellers, transitional, rural-lane-no-footway

## Summary
A single-family traveller site off a narrow unlit lane was allowed after a hearing. The poor B1403 junction would be avoided in favour of a better route through the village, so the highway impact was not unacceptable. The letter, dated 1 Sep 2026, quotes the 2024 ¶116 highways test and does not mention the new Framework.

## What made the difference
The availability of a much better alternative junction, and no accident record (DL ¶¶15–17). The pedestrian route was accepted as poor but not determinative for a traveller site.

## Policy findings
- **TR6(4): pass.** quotes 2024 ¶116; poor-visibility Caves Lane/B1403 junction harmful but not unacceptable given better route through village (DL 12-17)
- **TR3: harm.** single-track unlit lane with no footway, unattractive for walking to village 400 m away, "not determinative" (DL 7-9, 17)

## Key facts
- Council has a 5-year traveller-site supply but identified no alternative available site
- Mains electricity required by condition to avoid generator noise

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/7a6822cb-7372-4cfd-9371-dec12c058ef7
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6007837

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6007837.html

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