Rossmore Industrial Estate business owners unite to oppose Gypsy and Traveller site - Ellesmere Port

FURIOUS business owners have threatened to shut up shop if plans for a Gypsy and Traveller site get the green light – a move that could result in job losses.

About 120 residents and employees packed WT Windowstore on Rossmore Industrial Estate last Wednesday to discuss council plans to build the 15-pitch site on Rossfield Road, Ellesmere Port.
Tom Griffiths, who bought WT Windowstore last year, said he would consider moving elsewhere if the plans were approved.

He said: “We are having a tough enough time in business without having to fight something else.”

Mr Griffiths said the estate was a ‘totally unsuitable’ location.

“If you’re going to have residential houses on this estate I might as well level my business and build houses myself,” he said.

“You can’t have our security cameras overlooking women and children. They’ll have to removed, so there’s a big doorway for people to come in and do what they want.”
Mr Griffiths said those living on the site would be disturbed by the estate’s businesses, which often work from early morning until 10pm.

He added: “That’s going to affect business because we can’t produce. If we can’t produce we have to lay off – and we have 14 members of staff here.”

Other estate businesses strongly opposing the plans include Formes Alutek on Rossmore Road East, which has been operating since 1985 and employs 90 people.

Protesters have now launched a petition opposing the plans.

A spokesman for Cheshire West and Chester Council said: “The planning application will go before the strategic planning committee on January 12. A decision has yet to be made about where it will take place.”