Rejection plea on South Staffordshire Gypsy site bid

From the Express and Star

An MP has written to council chiefs urging them to reject plans for a Gypsy caravan site in the back garden of a South Staffordshire home.

Bill Watton hopes to put three caravans – containing two Gypsy households – in the rear garden of his house in Long Lane, Newtown. That proposal has sparked concern among fellow residents who are worried about the impact it would have on the green belt, and increased traffic problems.

Critics have also said there are two other travellers’ sites nearby. Villagers have now met with district council chief executive Steve Winterflood and handed over a petition with more than 200 signatures, and about 50 letters of objection.

Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has now written to Mr Winterflood to voice his concerns over the proposals.

In his letter, he spoke of the DCLG’s new Planning policy for traveller sites, published in March 2012. The paper states that ‘plan-making and decision-taking should protect Green Belt from inappropriate development’.

Mr Williamson said: “We are very lucky to live in such a stunning area and I know that the protection of this is of paramount concern. I hope that the council will take note of these new guidelines.”