An Irish traveller family will be able to increase the number of static and touring caravans on a site in the Kent countryside from two to 16.

This is despite there already being 25 traveller pitches spread across four sites in Satplehurt's Marden Road, with more in nearby Chapel Lane and George Street.

Staplehurst Parish Councillor Tom Burnham said: "There are a total of 95 gypsy and traveller sites already in Staplehurst and with this application and another on an adjoining site, it's extremely difficult to keep track of what's going on."

The Saunders family plan to welcome five adults and four children, who cannot live a nomadic lifestyle because of health, age or childcare commitments, to Staplehurst.

The family already has permission for four static homes but there are only two currently on the site in Meadow View in Marden Road.

With the permission of Maidstone Borough Council, the family can now instal four more static homes for the new arrivals, bringing the potential total to eight, with each additionally allowed one touring van on site.

This is despite concerns from neighbours about the impact this increased occupation would have on the countryside.

Neighbours Peter and Pam Payne raised concerns about the noise, drainage and appearance with the additional homes.

Mrs Payne, of Lindridge Oast, wrote: “Currently dogs are kept openly with constant barking, often roaming into the road causing traffic problems.

“They have worried our sheep and those of other neighbours. This could increase.

“If children are involved, there may well be an increase in the high-pitched revving we already experience regularly from motorbikes being driven around.”

“Currently dogs are kept openly with constant barking, often roaming into the road causing traffic problems..." - Pam Payne

She added the mental health of neighbours will be negatively affected by the increase in occupation at the site.

But at the planning committee meeting on April 29, the chair of the Gypsy and Traveller Coalition, Phien O'Reachtigan, spoke on behalf of the Saunders family.

He said: “Mr Saunders can not be held responsible for other people’s mental health issues.

“He doesn’t have motorbikes and dogs will bark whether on the site or in somebody’s house.

“We’ve asked that the committee approve this application and help the gypsy travellers get off the road.”

Cllr Louise Brice (Con) said: "This is not a site allocated for travellers in our Local Plan.

"We are required to provide 187 pitches during the plan period, and we have already created 173, with 12 years still to go. We are in danger of creating an over-supply of travellers' pitches."

She said: "This location is on the very edge of the village with a very open and rural landscape, which a planning inspector, at a previous appeal hearing, said should be protected."

However, both Cllrs Clive English (Lib Dem) and Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) said that the opportunity impose new conditions on landscaping and lighting, meant that overall the plot could actually be improved despite the increased number of pitches.

The plans have been approved under the condition that light sources are restricted and there will only be a maximum of 16 caravans on the site.

These caravans and mobile homes must stay in the designated plots laid out in the plans for “visual amenity”.

Council officers also recommend these caravans must be registered with a license within 21 days after the application acceptance date.

The Saunders family must also agree to not undertake any of their business on the site or store any vehicles or materials.

There are 155 authorised travellers sites across the borough of Maidstone, 19 of which are in Staplehurst.

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