Council plans to improve caravan site set to be approved

A number of pitches at the Glover Street Caravan Park, in Stafford, have been vacant for several years and there is a waiting list of families hoping to move in.

Stafford Borough Council has set aside funds to pay for improvements to the site, but the lack of action in recent years has caused frustration for residents.

On Wednesday the authority’s planning committee will consider an application to replace utility blocks, repair fencing between plots and create new car parking spaces.

The proposals have been recommended for approval by council planning officers and around £170,000 is earmarked for the improvements if they are given the green light.

At least four families will be able to move onto the site. But some previous plots will be removed to address potential flooding issues raised by the Environment Agency.

There have been no objections to the application, a report to the planning committee said.

Temporary permission for 12 caravan pitches at Glover Street was first granted by Stafford Borough Council more than 40 years ago and this consent has been renewed three times since then.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, cabinet member for communities and health, said: "We have a waiting list for plots at Glover Street and if the plans are given permission we would hope to get those families in as soon as possible.

"We have worked with the existing residents and Environment Agency to come up with a plan that is acceptable and safe for all.

"We would have liked to have progressed sooner with our proposals but there has been several challenges – not least when other travellers set up illegally on the site causing damage.

"I welcome finding a solution to this long and tricky ongoing problem, which will benefit residents in our borough."