Friends and supporters of River Lane traveller families are hoping for a “miracle” to end 13 year battle

Four families have been trying to secure permission for a permanent travellers’ site in River Lane, Leatherhead (pictured above), since buying the land in 2003.

April 2014: Decade-long saga continues as gypsy families refused planning permission again in Leatherhead

A fourth application for a permanent travellers’ site there was filed last month which would include four pitches, washrooms and utility rooms, stables and grazing land.

More than 700 people have signed petitions – 516 on a paper petition and 241 online – and 25 people have written letters supporting the application.

One resident wrote a letter arguing that housing should not be built on the field.

The families have submitted three applications and attended six development control meetings and three public inquiries to remain on the site, but have been refused permission on each occasion.

Jenny Moore (pictured above with traveller friend Susan King), manager at community shop B@titude in Kingston Road, Leatherhead, campaigns for four traveller families to settle on the greenbelt site.

She said: “I’m really hoping that it can be resolved this time.

“Thirteen years is such a long time. It would just be such a weight lifted off their shoulders.

“It has been a massive burden to carry for such a long time.

“They will be able to face the future instead of living day to day and week to week without being able to plan.”

Trevor West and Judy Marsden from Mount Row, Dorking, wrote: “They have put down roots in River Lane and any attempt to move them on would not only cause suffering (especially to the children), but would also simply create a problem elsewhere as these families need to have a place to live.”

Tony Page of Spencer Road, Cobham, meanwhile, wrote to register his “strong objection” to the application.

He wrote: “There should not be any dwellings on any sort on this field as this land is not land that should be turned over for accommodation.”

Mrs Moore at B@titude remains hopeful that this time their application will be approved.

She said: “In the shop the other day we asked, ‘What would your miracle be, if you could have a miracle?’ “Two or three women in the shop said, ‘For River Lane to be sorted’.

“It was incredible. Their thoughts immediately went to the family. That, to me, showed the sense of solidarity.”

To view the application, search the Mole Valley District Council planning portal for MO/2016/0627.