Ellesmere Port residents hit out at council decision to continue with Gypsy and Traveller site plan

MORE than 800 angry residents have signed a petition calling on council bosses to scrap plans for a Gypsy and Traveller site in Ellesmere Port.

Glen Higgins, who lives on the boundary of the proposed site on Rossfield Road, Overpool, has been elected to head up a residents’ committee.

He has so far collected 863 signatures opposing the site and called council bosses’ decision to continue with the plans ‘very, very disappointing’.

“The meeting on Wednesday was just political point scoring,” he said.

“They appear to be hell-bent on attempting to justify a failed process and bad decision which is a blatant waste of money, rather than hold their hands up and say ‘we got it wrong’ and start the whole process again.

“They are making this statement that they are going to listen to people, people come first, people get their say in the community – and clearly the first opportunity they get to take residents up on that we appear to be ignored.

“I haven’t got a bigoted view of this. I believe they have the right to live in the area, but the site is not suitable.”

He said homeowners were particularly concerned about noise and the impact of the plans on house prices.

“One resident’s daughter wanted to buy a house in the area, but pulled out when she heard about the proposed site,” said Glen.

“Another resident recently moved into the area and I’ve had the unfortunate job of breaking the news to them.

“My neighbours are very concerned about the proximity of the site. It mentions in the report there will be the need for vehicular access 24 hours a day.”

Business owners on the estate have also hit out at the proposals, saying plans could force them to close earlier.

Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting, Ellesmere Port councillor Justin Madders said: “The Tories have ignored the views of the public, local businesses, their own scrutiny committee and their own executive member.”

Labour spokesman Cllr Ben Powell said: “The Labour Group fully supports the decision to provide sites for the travelling community, but we believe that it’s vital we have a process in which the public and importantly, the travelling community can have confidence.

“I believe the council should start again and work with us.”

A council spokesman said: “The planning application for the Rossfield Road site has been submitted, after full consultation with local residents and businesses.

“A site notice and press notice have been posted at the site in recent weeks with letters to 725 neighbouring residents being issued. To date we have received approximately 400 neighbour comments.

“We are now evaluating all of the responses received and an application will be presented to the Strategic Planning Committee at some point in the future.”