The proposal to locate a permanent gypsy and traveller site on land off Stratford Road was considered at last night's Town Council.

You will of course be well aware that local residents do not support the proposal and no doubt those residents have written expressing the reasons for their objection.

The Town Council also consider that this site is not appropriate for residential use and were surprised that the Local Planning Authority (LPA) should consider the land for residential use, given that the LPA had consulted with the Town Council with a view to the land being designated for employment use, a proposal which the Town Council was pleased to support.

Had the land been considered appropriate for residential use then the question arises why it was not included for the purpose in the Draft Local Plan.

The Town Council is well aware that Severn Trent Water has given advice on the extension of the cordon sanitaire around the sewage works, but cannot agree that in planning terms it is all acceptable to site residential development so near to sewage works. Residential amenities would certainly be adversely affected by escaping gases from the sewage works and those malodorous gases are even experienced by residents of Chase Meadow.

Indeed it could be intolerable for residents, for residents either within or outside their homes.

Furthermore residents would also be subject to high levels of noise from the M40 and residents living in mobile homes with limited noise insulation, would suffer even more than residents in conventional housing.

The Town Council also consider that the proximity of the river and the inclusion of the land within the flood plain is reason for the development not to take place. Even if compensatory works can be carried out the Town Council consider it poor planning practice to knowingly locate development in the flood plain, for even if this land is fully protected, flooding will be transferred elsewhere.

The Town Council therefore object to the proposal, and are particularly concerned that whilst the land is generally considered unsuitable for residential use, the District Council should consider the use of the land is appropriate for use as Gypsy and Traveller Site, and that it is quite unacceptable to expect any members of the community to reside in an area which was not considered appropriate for residential use, but rather proposed as employment land.