Objections continue to council plans for Gypsy and Traveller site in Ellesmere Port - Cheshire

From the Ellesmere Port Pioneer

DETAILED plans for a Gypsy and Traveller site on Rossfield Road are to be decided by councillors at a meeting in Ellesmere Port tomorrow (Thursday).

The application by Cheshire West and Chester Council is recommended for permission.

The borough’s strategic planning committee is being told approval is being sought for details of the development of 12 pitches and facilities which had outline approval last year.

It is argued the pitches, on part of a local authority depot, are of ‘strategic significance’ to the council’s programme to provide Gypsy and Traveller sites.

More than 660 neighbours have been consulted and 26 representations have been made raising a range of issues.

There are fears the site will lead to increased crime, anti social behaviour and social unrest and it will be detrimental to the Rossfield Industrial Estate and detract from regeneration.

Other objections refer to the lack of school places, noise and disturbance and the unsuitability of the site for any residential purposes as it is in an industrial and commercial area. It is claimed the viability of nearby businesses would be ‘destroyed’.

Cheshire police argue all caravan parks should have surveillance covering all the site and it should be identified as a private area with restrictions on unauthorised access as far as possible. Records should be kept of all caravans with details.

Planners argue the site will not affect the amenities of neighbours.

The need to provide Gypsy and Traveller sites is said to outweigh the possible effect of the loss of employment land. The meeting starts in the Civic Hall at 4pm.