A family living in a caravan on their land in a Norfolk village has seen their latest application to change the use of the site for gypsy status denied.

Tom Harber, his wife and two children have been living on the land in Malthouse Corner, Catfield, since they acquired it at auction in July 2022.

In March 2023, the family saw an application lodged to North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) to change the use of the land to a gypsy/traveller pitch for one mobile home and one portacabin refused.

It was thrown out over concerns the location was "remote and isolated" with a "lack of nearby
facilities" and fears it would have a negative visual and environmental impact.

A Google street view of the site taken in July 2024A Google street view of the site taken in July 2024 (Image: Google) And now, the family, which is living at the location in a mobile home and a portacabin, has seen a new bid seeking "retrospective permission" to change the use of the site refused.

The planning department has thrown the second bid out on similar grounds to which it had the first time around.

Catfield Parish Council had lodged its objection to the plans claiming that the family had been "in breach of planning" regulations for two years.

It added that the "level of occupancy" at the site appears to be "increasing" and questioned the NNDC's planning department's credibility if it is so "openly disregarded".

The site pictured from the roadThe site pictured from the road (Image: North Norfolk District Council) There were an additional seven other public representations made against the fresh application.

One stated that the development had taken place without permission and therefore should be subject to enforcement notice.

Another objection said the site is "untidy" and "inappropriate", adding it is a "detriment to the local landscape".

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In addition, one representation against the bid even questioned whether "applicants meet the definition of gypsy status".

The applicant's statement did say that the family has a "nomadic habit of life" and they do most of their travelling "during the summer" when they "take two to three weeks" to travel up to the major horse fair at Appleby, Cumbria.

Ludham Parish Council also objected to the plans.

To view the plans in full search reference number PF/23/0861 in the North Norfolk District Council planning portal.