Traveller family wins go-ahead for site use

William Whyte and 10 of his relatives have been granted permission to set up four chalets and three caravans at Woodcote, off the A41 close to Lilleshall.

Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee last night approved the proposal after hearing objectors' traffic and sustainability concerns.

The authority is now looking into how it can limit the occupancy of the static site to the 11 named residents and their spouses and dependents.

Councillors had deferred a decision on the application to gather more information regarding the site's close proximity to the A41 and concerns about safety.

Highways officers came back with no objections but speakers said they were still concerned about traffic and car accidents.

Woodcote resident Kenneth Saxon said he had seen a man seriously injured after a crash there and his own front wall had been smashed into by a lorry.

He said: "At an inquest in 2009, a coroner asked the police for a report on a one-mile stretch of what was called an accident blackspot. It stated that between 2000 and 2009 there had been five fatal, seven serious injury and 44 other collisions in a one-mile stretch which includes the area that you are going to discuss tonight."

But Councillor Shirley Reynolds said: "Having been on the site visit, the access allows for a vehicle towing a caravan to pull off the road, so there would be no queuing up or stopping."

Councillor Maurice Roberts, of Chetwynd Aston & Woodcote Parish Council, said: "I think there will be children there later on no doubt in time and I don't think it's a place to bring up children. I think it will treble in size."

He also raised concerns over the lack of access to public transport for schools and the devaluation of nearby properties.

Councillor Andrew Eade, member for Church Aston and Lilleshall, said it was inappropriate development on green land.

The plans also include four car parking spaces, a small sewage plant and an amenity room.