EHDC have anounced that they are planning a "short stay travellers site" with the criteria on location having been pre-decided in January this year.  This is being communicated by posters and news articles on the local radio stations.

Its important that we provide feedback on the plan as it is in the consultation phase. Chawton appears to be one of the locations under consideration.

The full article on the EHDC site can be found here and the address for providing feedback is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The criteria EHDC are measuring the sites by is shown below, Clearly this could mean that they are planning for the lay-by within the village on the A31 on the way to Four Marks

Agreed by Cabinet, January 2006

1. Within 1/2 a mile of the A3, A31, A32, and A325, as these represent significant travel routes through the district, for Travellers. 
2. Any site should have good transport links, preferably on a “B” road, to prevent the use of small country lanes. 
3. The make up of sites should include accommodation for approximately 10-12 caravans and vehicles and this equates to approximately one-third of an acre. 
4. Locations, where possible, should be hard standing. 
5. They should also be capable of being securely fenced or demarcated between neighbouring land/properties. 
6. If possible, the site should be capable of being secured by a gate and/or other means. 
7. The site should not be within ½ mile of homes within a settlement boundary or an established caravan site. 
8. These sites are for limited use only and it is intended that each site should be used for a maximum individual stay of 4 weeks for each occupation. 
9. The site will not be within, or likely to harm a SSSI. 
10. Only in exceptional circumstances should a site be located in the AONB and then provided that it does not have an adverse impact on the AONB. 
11. The site will not be located in a strategic gap. 
12. The choice of site should be undertaken in liaison with neighbouring local authorities. This would ensure that sites across the County were strategically located.