Plans for a chalet and caravan site on the edge of Gobowen – which have already been partly built – look likely to be refused by council chiefs.

There has been opposition to the plans by Romany gipsy couple Jerry Berry and his wife, who have applied for permission to site four chalets and provide space for four touring caravans on the land opposite Henlle Park Golf Club.

But members of Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council and local residents have said the land is in a rural area unsuitable for residential development and say work has already begun without permission.

Objectors have also claimed the land was a former tip and could be contaminated land.

In a statement, the couple, who have five children, say they previously lived at Shropshire Council’s gipsy site at Park Hall where Mrs Berry was born. The family have said they have had to move because of overcrowding and a long waiting list for pitches there.

In a report to a meeting of Shropshire Council’s planning committee on December 6, planning officer Stuart Thomas said it was accepted that there was a need for sites for gipsies and travellers and that would be given sufficient weight.

“The applicant meets the connections policy. However, the speculative nature of the other three plots is not acceptable,” he said. “In addition, the site is not considered acceptable as it is not located within or adjoining a recognised settlement.

Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council has objected to the planning application saying it is inappropriate development which is on land used in the past as an uncontrolled tip. The land is close to a dangerous junction on to the A5 and could disturb a public right of way.

“The parish council has said it is also concerned that work on the proposed development has continued regardless of the fact that planning permission has not yet been granted.”

Councillors are recommended to refuse planning permission because it would introduce new build into a rural environment and goes beyond the identified need of the applicant.