Appeal victory for showman

12:56pm Sunday 4th May 2008

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A showman has won an appeal to be allowed to store fairground rides opposite his house.

Peter Ellis who lives in Blackwater Lane, Witham, was refused planning permission last year by Braintree District Council to store fairground equipment and vehicles on land opposite his house.

It was decided on April 18 by The Planning Inspectorate to overrule Braintree Council's decision.

Mr Ellis a member of the Showman's Guild has lived at the address off of Maldon Road, WItham, for more than 30 years.

Braintree Council refused the application on the grounds that their policy is to "resist development that would prejudice the implementation of river walks/linear parks."

Richard Maile, an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, wrote in his report that "the continued use of the site for storage purposes will not affect the Council's longer-term aims of creating a riverside walk," and he imposed a number of conditions with regards to landscaping which will bring about improvements to the appearance of the area.