Traveller sites to be approved in villages

Controversial plans to create new gipsy and travellers pitches in South Staffordshire are set to become a reality despite hundreds of objections.

Council officers have also admitted they are "clearly inappropriate".

Green belt land in Wombourne, Featherstone and Slade Heath will be transformed into new caravan sites for travellers under the plans, which it today emerged have been recommended for approval.

The creation of one new pitch in Wombourne for a mobile home, caravan and day building today took a step closer to reality, despite objections from more than 500 residents and numerous heated public meetings.

Campaigners claim the green belt land, at Pool House Nurseries, should be preserved and protected.

Officers have recommended the development be approved by councillors next Tuesday. Plans for a caravan site for four pitches have also been recommended for approval in Pool House Barn in Old Stafford Road, Slade Heath, despite similar proposals being thrown out in the past to the site being green belt land.

In Featherstone, plans to transform Oak Tree caravan site in New Road into a travellers site for eight caravans are also set to go ahead, despite local objections.