Shropshire Council throws out travellers site bid

Controversial plans for a traveller site on a field near Market Drayton have been thrown out by Shropshire Council, but the occupants are still on the land.

The application was lodged after about eight vehicles moved on to the field off Warrant Road, in Stoke-Upon-Tern, in March sparking a legal challenge from councillors to get the travellers to move on.

The proposal, for up to 16 caravans, was widely criticised by residents and Stoke-Upon-Tern parish council.

About 20 people commented on the proposals on the Council's website during consultation, many objecting over fears that it could lead to more development in the future and that the utility buildings proposed are too large for the area.

Stoke-upon-Tern Parish Council raised concerns about business use on the land and the visual impact on the countryside.

In April Shropshire Council served the occupants with an injunction in a bid to prevent any development taking place.

But the occupants challenged the injunction and took their fight to overturn it to the High Court in Birmingham. The council was granted the order.

The application by John Finney and others was for eight static and eight touring caravans.

It included eight utility blocks and boundary fencing as well as work to widen the existing access.

Internal access tracks and a package treatment plant would also have been created.

The plans were thrown out using delegated powers and Karen Calder, Shropshire Councillor for Hodnet, said it was the right decision.

She said: "There was lots of local opposition, the case was put before the officers and the officers, I think quite rightly, objected.

"The injunction was granted and now it will take its course, we will go through the normal process."