Forty objections over Newent Gypsy site - Gloucestershire

ANGRY objections are pouring in to a controversial Gypsy site in Newent.

Almost 40 letters against the bid for planning permission at the field, off Southend Lane, have been received by Forest of Dean District Council.

The application for permission to stay was filed before the January 31 deadline for the Travellers to be off the field and return it to how it was before they moved in.

It provoked outrage amongst neighbours, who believed a Government-appointed inspector's ruling meant the caravans would be gone on deadline day.

So far, 38 letters of objection have been sent to the council.

Newent Town Council is yet to make its view known.

"The public inquiry in December 2009 concluded that this was an inappropriate site," wrote Roger Beard, of Culver Street. "This remains the case.

"I had believed the inspector's decision was final and am horrified to find that this may not be the case. What a waste of public time and money in these harsh economic times."

Fellow Culver Street resident Barbara Griffiths also said nothing has changed.

"They, like us, have to obey the law, nothing has changed," she said.

Opposition

Many other letters have been written in a similar vein against the bid, which is for 13 pitches.

The application was ruled invalid on Monday because proof of ownership had not been supplied.

By Tuesday the owners were confirmed as Alice Jones of Llandrinio, Powys, Albert Evans of Rumney, Cardiff, and Jolene Frankham and Leanne Small, both of Tedley, Reading.

The main part of the move onto the site took place during the Whitsun Bank Holiday in May 2009.

Mark Greening, from Newent RAID (Residents Against Inappropriate Development) said: "We will not give up our quest to ensure justice for all – this should not go ahead."

The Travellers' planning consultant Matthew Green said the application would not be necessary if the council found them another site.