Shropshire farmer vows fight to keep his fields from becoming travellers camp

John Wigley today spoke out against Shropshire Council plans for the change of use of the land to create up to six traveller pitches, along with two amenity blocks.

The development would be on fields adjacent to Mr Wigley's Drenewydd Farm at Park Hall, near Oswestry.

His family have rented the fields from the council for many years and he says they help support the last remaining dairy farm in the village.

He said: "Over the years we have lost other pieces of ground at Park Hall to housing and other projects and this represents another reduction in the area of the land farmed, squeezing the business still further.

"The fields which we rent from the council are an integral part of our farm which is sadly the last remaining dairy farm in the village."

If plans are approved, it will be the second traveller site in Park Hall – the first of which was granted an extension for 10 extra pitches in 2011.

The 48-year-old dairy farmer described the plans as "the thin end of the wedge".

He added: "The application by Shropshire Council for another traveller site in the village of Park Hall must surely be unprecedented, for such a small community.

"Thirty years or so ago the first travellers were located at Park Hall and I can remember how long it took for them to integrate into the area.

"That in itself was a big change for the community, but the second group of travellers brought into Park Hall recently has caused tremendous upheaval and strained relations between the original travellers site and the rest of the community."

Mr Wigley said in recent years, there have been problems with litter, as well as his cattle and sheep being chased by dogs.

He said: "Leaving aside the detritus and litter that has been lobbed over the boundary fences, the main issue for me has been the dogs which are frequently left untethered and chase our cattle and small flock of sheep around the fields. This has caused serious welfare issues in the past with sheep being chased to exhaustion and cattle breaking through the perimeter fence and onto the main road.

"Two years ago an incident of this manner resulted in two cows with broken legs having to be put down when they broke through the fence at night time after being chased by dogs.

"When the cattle ran down the road that night in the pitch black they could have easily caused a massive traffic accident and loss of life. It makes me shudder when I think about it, even now.

"Trying to look after animals in these circumstances is a nightmare and I'm continually worried about the welfare of grazing animals at Park Hall."

He added: "I understand the council has an obligation to provide accommodation for the travelling community but I too have an obligation, which is to look after my livestock. With that in mind, I will fight this planning application alongside the residents of park hall, in order to protect my livestock and the fields they graze on."

Village residents have also launched a campaign objecting to the plans, setting up the Park Hall Against Development Facebook page in a bid to make their feelings known.

While more than 90 objections have been raised by residents on Shropshire Council's planning portal and nearly 200 letters of objection have also been collected in the village.

A decision on the plans is expected on February 28.