Prees travellers' site approved

Controversial plans to create a permanent caravan site for travellers on agricultural land in a north Shropshire village have been given the go-ahead by council chiefs.

Planning permission was granted by officers at Shropshire Council to change the use of land off Lacon Street, Prees.

The decision was made despite nine letters of objection being submitted to the council by residents. They had raised fears over the suitability of the location, impact on schools, the affect of water drainage and dangers posed with the access to the site.

One letter in support of the application said that it was hard for travellers to find somewhere to live and park and that the children needed to go to school.

The proposal includes creating a hard-standing for parking for two cars and two trucks, and installing a septic tank drainage system, utility rooms, bathrooms and toilets.

The scheme was granted subject to a number of conditions, including that the site should not be occupied by anybody apart from travellers and no commercial activities should take place on the land.

In a Shropshire Council planning report it said: "There is an identified need for additional pitches for traveller families. The proposed development is not considered to damage the character and appearance of the area or harm the adjoining land users."