Telford short-stay site for travellers approved
A travellers site aimed at tackling illegal encampments in Telford has won approval from planners, despite attracting more than 300 objections.
Several angry residents stormed out of last night's meeting after Telford & Wrekin's planning committee gave the green light for a temporary travellers site in Snedshill, Telford.
The authority suggested the transit site to allow 29 caravans to stay for a maximum of 28 days in a bid to crack down on illegal encampments that have cropped up at industrial areas across the borough in recent months.
The plan has come in response to calls for action from business leaders after caravans pitched up at Halesfield 5, Halesfield 19, Stafford Park12 and Ironbridge Park and Ride station in one week at the end of October.
About 80 people turned out to last night's meeting, where a 15-pitch transit site was considered for disused employment land off Holyhead Road.
The council received one 173-signature petition and another 62-name petition against the proposal, along with 82 letters and e-mails of objection.
