To travel or not to travel

Last week there was an open Parish Council meeting to discuss a pair of planning applications; for continued use of a field as a caravan site/wooden sheddy house for a couple and to allow use of the extended site as a permanent traveller's pitch for 3 caravans, with construction of two earth toilets etc etc.
Apparently the meeting was well attended and the heavy word was a definite NO from all present, the Parish Councillors et al. I find myself in a bit of a quandary. I was too unwell to attend the gathering but I reckon I'm one of the few residents of the village to have spoken with the applicants who wish to continue their present lifestyle on the ground they have purchased. This is a separate issue from the travellers site.
The couple live "Off the Grid" ie they are not using mains water, electricity or sewage. They work at festivals as waste control operatives, bin men to me and thee and as a tree surgeon. The green fencing protects some of their property. They tell me they have planted in excess of 600 trees to offset their carbon footprint. Which is rather odd as they burned a huge pile of rubbish last week that nearly caused the fire chaps to be called out, subsequently the fire chaps did have to come out due to the place being flooded.
The issue of Travellers sites is a real thorny debate. I hope I am able to view both sides of the argument and recognise the good and bad in both camps. The obvious downside is the apocryphal and indeed actual state in which many such pitches are left when a group moves on. This and the type of hound that is left to roam concerns most of those with whom I have chatted.
My question to both sides is this; how do you reconcile the needs of the travelling community to live securely, amongst those they know and trust with the fear that their presence creates within what suddenly becomes a community under threat. The present site is under development, as such it is a bit of an eyesore, consequently arguing against it is made easier. Yet the corollary is that many Cornish farms, and small holdings are absolute tips.

In other news.....
Has anybody else noticed a change in the flavour of Tunnocks Caramel Wafers? I reckon they have changed the recipe for the caramel.

Looking Large might help your perspective.