Plans to let more circus workers live in a West Berkshire hamlet should be dropped according to the parish council.
And villagers have vowed to fight the plans with a judicial review if West Berkshire Council grants them.
The applicant wants to put 24 plots on fields at Long Copse Farm. The site in Enborne is the Zippos Circus headquarters.
But locals say the village would not be able to cope with the increase in size of up to 100 people.
The row has been rumbling for nearly 25 years, with the villagers winning the last bout – after retrospective plans were submitted for hard standings and temporary accommodation for the circus folk.
This was rejected on appeal, because the then proposed development would have been right up to the edge boundary of the Long Copse Ancient Woodland, which is protected.
New plans are now in the pipeline, once again putting Enborne villagers on a battle footing.
Former director of Zippos Circus, Martin Burton, said in 2015: “It’s my land to house my showmen. I own 50 acres in the Enborne Valley, the increase would take a little over 10 acres so it’s a small proportion.
“I believe that residents are concerned that they will get other travellers other than showmen on my site – I would not offer accommodation to anyone other than circus folk – the planning consent, if it comes will be specific to circus showmen.”
But both Hamstead Marshall Parish Council and Enborne Parish Council are objecting, along with dozens of other individuals.
“The municipal and rural infrastructure of Enborne cannot support the proposed increase of the twenty four addition temporary dwellings, which will have adverse consequences for the parishioners of the Enborne community and its current facilities, which are under pressure,” wrote Hamstead Marshall Parish Council.
Enborne Parish Council says West Berkshire Council – which will ultimately decide the application’s fate – appears to be preparing their planning policy without due regard to planning law, citing ‘national’ and ‘strategic’ shortages rather than considering the reality on the ground in West Berkshire.
“Enborne stands ready to do its bit to support the needs of the travelling community but we are a small parish, with a small school and development at the scale proposed will overwhelm us,” said Peter Tompkins.
“The site is accessed via a single track road, ancient woodland and sensitive landscape and ecology are threatened. Technical concerns such as drainage and refuse collection have not been planned for. This development would cause immense harm to the character of Enborne, and the amenity and wellbeing of our community.
“Without evidence of a real need for this policy, concerns arise that this is in fact a trojan horse for something else.
“At least 65 local people have currently pledged support for a judicial review of West Berkshire councils decision making if necessary and we will shortly begin further fundraising.”
