Gipsy plans scrapped after residents' anger

Resident Bill Watton wants to put three caravans – containing two gipsy households – at the back of his house in Long Lane, Newtown.

But South Staffordshire District Council officers have recommended that the proposals are rejected when they go before a meeting of the authority's planning committee at a meeting later this month.

It comes after more than 70 angry residents flocked to a public meeting over the scheme and vowed to battle the plans.

A petition with 132 names has been submitted to planners along with 63 letters of objection.

Villagers object to the caravans being situated on green belt land and say they are concerned about increased traffic.

Essington Parish Council chairman David Clifft, who called-in the application to go before the committee next week, has also called for the councillors to visit the site to see it for themselves.

As part of his application Mr Watton has claimed he needs the new homes as his mother is ill and his son is to marry next year.

A report to the committee recommends the development is refused saying it would be 'inappropriate' for the green belt. It adds: "The council has considered the case for 'very special circumstances' advanced by the applicant however they do not outweigh the identified harm."

Councillor Clifft said: "I welcome the report and the findings of the planning officer. What can I say, the findings really speak for themselves and the lengths some people will go to in order to carry out development in the green belt.

"Residents living in Long Lane, had packed out Essington Parish Council Chamber in July to voice their concerns over the application. Essington Parish Council had recommended that the application be refused by South Staffordshire Council." The family moved into their home seven years ago after living a traditional Romany Gipsy life on the road.

Mr Watton's wife, Bonnie told the Express & Star last month: "My son already lives with us, so for our neighbours to say there will be extra traffic and disruption is completely unfounded."

At a meeting in June Long Lane resident Christine Neale said the application amounted to 'garden grabbing' - where people choose to develop on their own residential gardens because it is difficult for the authorities to object to.

The council's planning committee meets on Tuesday at the council offices in Codsall at 6.30pm.