Worcester traveller site goes to appeal as 'only option'

Roger Lethem, owner of the field next to the busy Broomhall Way in St Peter's, had his plans to build a ten-pitch traveller site refused by Worcester City Council last year. 

However, the landowner has now appealed that decision after revealing he has been "pulling his hair out" thinking of another use for the land.

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"We put in that initial application for a traveller site because every year, if not twice, no matter what chain or lock we use the field gets invaded by travellers," he said. 

"It is common sense to us to have ten permanent caravans so that the yearly invasion would stop and where the people would have to pay rates and be well hidden because we would plant shrubbery and trees.

"It is the best of the options - I have been pulling my hair to find another use for the land."

He said that he currently has to pay thousands to mend fences and clean up rubbish left by travellers who use his land without permission each year.

The land in question lies at the tip of the huge ‘urban extension’ which will see more than 2,600 homes built between St Peter’s in the south of Worcester towards Norton and Broomhall.

At the time, 160 objections were made against Mr Lethem's bid, and that number increased to more than 260 before the council planning meeting last year.

St Peter's Parish Council chair John Renshaw is opposing the plans. (Image: John Renshaw) Councillors had refused the plans over concerns of the busy highway, an increase in crime and the effect on the landscape.

St Peter's Parish Council chair, John Renshaw, said there are major concerns from residents after discovering the plans have gone to appeal.

He said his main concerns are the damage to wildlife and, if the plans get passed, then the potential for other developments on more small paths of green spaces.

"The parish council has concerns that what we could end up with is a Worcester urban area," he added.

"St Peter's is on the edge, and it would become a city instead of a semi-rural area.

"We are concerned that if the plans go ahead, we could end up with a concrete urban sprawl going to Kempsey.

"It will undoubtedly change the nature of the area."

No decision has yet been made on Mr Lethem's appeal.