Campaign launched against plans for second traveller site in Shropshire village

Residents in Park Hall, near Oswestry, have launched a campaign to show their objections to plans from Shropshire Council to develop a small permanent site for families who currently live on temporary sites in North Shropshire.

The authority has lodged an application to its planning department for the change of use of land off Drenewydd at Park Hall for up to six pitches, along with two amenity blocks.

The project is part of the authority's remit to manage gipsy and traveller sites in the county.

Villagers have set up the Park Hall Against Development Facebook page in a bid to make their feelings known, and more than 90 objections have been raised by residents on Shropshire Council's planning portal, as well as almost 200 letters of objection which have been collected in the village.

A number of concerns have been raised by residents including an increase in traffic coming in and out of the road onto Drenewydd and the visual impact on householders, as well as the village already housing a traveller site.

On Shropshire Council's planning portal, resident Doreen Hughes said: "Firstly we have an existing traveller's site in Park Hall which has already been extended to accommodate more pitches.

"Secondly, allowing the six pitches on this site would set a precedent for further pitches in the future on this large piece of land, which would completely surround the houses on the road and will impact on the visual amenity from the houses on Drenewydd.

"Thirdly, the impact of more cars and trailers coming in and out of the access road onto Drenewydd will cause increased traffic, noise and disturbance which will affect the residential amenity for residents in the road and cause increased safety concerns with more traffic on this residential road.

"Fourthly, have the council fully considered other sites which maybe more suitable and will have less direct impact on local residents? Two traveller sites in one small village is excessive and an over development, have any brownfield sites been considered before developing on this greenfield land?"

She added: "I strongly urge the council to consider other sites for more travellers, as this will have a detrimental impact on the amenity, streetscape and landscape in Park Hall."

Ahead of a decision from the authority's planners, a residents' meeting is due to take place in the coming weeks, with the date to be confirmed.