The movement of caravans onto a site in Welford, despite the fact that planning permission for a Traveller site had been turned down, is of obviously of grave concern. The democratically elected Councillors of this District twice weighed up the application against planning policy and national guidance and chose to reject the applicant’s proposal. To then move onto the site in an attempt to influence a planning appeal is the worst abuse of the system and something that the Coalition Government is determined to stop. This is why the Localism Bill is so important to us, not only does it reinforce the importance of local opinion in planning, but it also includes stronger enforcement powers to deal with planning breaches and stop damaging retrospective applications that are so often involved in cases like this. The general populace want to see fair play in the planning system and are fed-up of seeing different groups of people being treated differently. It is important that the rule of law, including that of planning law, be respected by all, regardless of their background. I have urged the Council to take immediate action, regardless of the threat of a planning appeal, and to uphold the decision of the electorate’s democratic representatives.