Travellers in breach of planning rules
Travellers who have descended on land close to a Staffordshire village are in breach of planning regulations despite owning the site.
Around 12 caravans and a JCB digger have now moved on the site on the A449 close to Rodbaston College at Penkridge.
A planning application for change of use to a travellers caravan site, erection of ancillary utility building and installation of lighting has been submitted by a Billy Joe Lee of Willenhall and was received by South Staffordshire Council on August 28.
But a decision has yet to be made by the council and now officers are looking at taking action against the travellers for moving on to the site without gaining the necessary planning permission.
They started arriving at the site at the end of August.
At first there were two caravans but over the weeks the numbers have increased, prompting concerned residents to contact the council.
David Patterson, director of legal and licencing at South Staffordshire Council, said the travellers owned the site but simply did not have permission to accommodate caravans at this stage.
He said: "They own the land. It is a matter of planning, rather than trespass.
"We are taking legal advice and are taking the issue very seriously indeed but it is complicated."
Penkridge parish councillor Dennis Murphy added: "People are very upset. The amount of caravans on site is increasing all the time."
