Press Release

11 March 2005

Paice Welcomes Smithy Fen Decision

Jim Paice, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, today welcomed the Planning Inspector’s decision to refuse planning permission to all unauthorised plots off Water Lane, Cottenham following the public inquiry last year to which Jim gave detailed evidence.

The Inspector’s report contained a summary of Jim’s evidence and the final decision clearly took into account his assertion that, “just because travellers own the site, that site should not be given any preferential consideration outside the normal planning process.”

Jim said, “At last something has gone right for the people of Cottenham who have to live with the consequences of Smithy Fen’s rapid expansion. I am delighted that the key point – that planning rules should apply to everyone - has been recognised and that a stand has finally been taken against unauthorised developments. A line in the sand has been drawn and I welcome that. I hope that the travellers will now leave peacefully and return the site to its original condition.”

“It is now up to South Cambridgeshire to enforce this decision and I have faith that they will do so.”