A road outside a newly approved Gipsy and Traveller site at Arlesey “is known locally as the drag strip”, a meeting heard.

Some motorists drive along a stretch of Hitchin Road at speeds of 100mph to 120mph, Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee was told.

Full plans were submitted to the local authority to change the use of land at the back of Woodview Lodge for 12 static caravans for residential use by Gipsies and Travellers, with a play area, hardstanding and parking.

The proposals form an extension of a Gipsy and Traveller site, filling a vacant gap within that area, according to a report to the committee.

An application for the same development was refused previously for insufficient drainage information and around sustainable development because of its detached location from Arlesey, said the report.

“The land was previously covered by concrete, but it’s been developed with hardstanding (to indicate plots) and a play area, so the application is partly retrospective. There are no objections from technical consultees.”

Principal planning officer Stuart Robinson explained: “There are no Travellers on the site, so it’s unoccupied currently.

“The drainage issues have been addressed with the submission of a flood risk assessment and other details. The site is located opposite a Local Plan allocation for 2,000 units considered sustainable, although not yet subject to a planning application.

“It’s not uncommon to have Gipsy and Traveller sites within rural areas. CBC has a five-year supply of such sites.”

Arlesey Town Council objected, with councillor Neil Stephenson saying: “The development is outside the local settlement boundary and not in accordance with the Arlesey neighbourhood plan.

“The access is off a section of national speed limit road. This scheme has no cycleways or footpaths to connect to the current system. The proposed pitches are too close to the railway line.”

Labour Arlesey and Fairfield councillor Nick Andrews warned: “The road outside is known locally as the drag strip.

“People go as fast as possible down there at speeds of 100mph to 120mph because it’s a long stretch of road.

“There’s a sign outside advertising residential units. We need to make sure in future we can enforce that.”

Conservative Dunstable Watling councillor Nigel Young suggested that a condition ensures the pitches are used for the travelling community.

“There’s a history of that not being complied with, when this should add to our pitch provision for this community rather than become lets for private tenants,” he noted.

“Site licensing gives us significant powers, as these are extensive and can lead to criminal prosecution.”

Independent Arlesey and Fairfield councillor Jodie Chillery said: “I’ve not received any objections or concerns from residents, where as I did for the previous application.

“There’s a footpath leading to the first Travellers’ site, which is incredibly overgrown. I frequently see people from the current two Travellers’ sites struggling through that undergrowth on foot.

“I’m worried highways aren’t maintaining this area and it’s quite dangerous for people living there. Another 12 families tackling that isn’t great.”

Councillors backed the development, with nine votes in favour and two abstentions.