Planning move to protect residents and businesses during the Olympics

The Royal Borough is taking steps to protect local residents and businesses from unnecessary disruption near the Olympic and Paralympic games site at Eton-Dorney.

Meeting last night (Thursday 25 November), cabinet agreed to withdraw rights for landowners to set up temporary car parks, camp sites, car boot sales and markets in the area during the games.

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for planning and development, explained: "It is absolutely vital that the council takes early action to prevent temporary businesses springing up that might create additional traffic and cause unnecessary problems for residents, businesses and visitors.

"Under planning law, landowners have the right to operate temporary businesses without planning permission for up to 28 days but, in exceptional circumstances, the council can take preventative action.

"We believe the very sensitive travel plans for the games could be seriously threatened by any temporary businesses. "

Landowners have automatic planning permission for a range of developments, including the temporary use of land for up to 28 days a year (14 for markets and car boot sales). However, the council has the powers to remove normal rights to undertake works without planning permission. This can only be done in exceptional circumstances where the council is satisfied that the development would be 'prejudicial to the proper planning of their area or constitute a threat to the amenities of their area'.

Cllr Knight added: "While we appreciate landowners may want to capitalise on the opportunities for additional income that the game may offer, we need to look at the overall good of the local community and the travelling public. Of course if anyone does want to set up a legitimate business during the games a planning application will be considered in the normal way."

The move - a Direction under Article 4(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 - would come into effect on 1 June 2012. There will be a formal six-week consultation period and final consideration by cabinet at its meeting in March.

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