A PUBLIC inquiry is being held into a plans for private gipsy caravan site in Leigh Sinton.

An application to change the use of farmland was submitted to Malvern Hills District Council in November 2001 by Birmingham-based Community Law Partnership on behalf of Mr and Mrs R Smith, who were already living there.

The scheme was met with opposition from local residents, with about 90 representations being sent to the council.

One of the main objections was traffic safety, as access to the land at Dragon's Cross is off the main A4103 Hereford-Worcester road.

Villagers were worried about the site entrance because a number of fatal road crashes have happened in the vicinity over the last few years.

Objectors also said the site was inappropriate to the area and would damage the landscape.

The application was turned down by planners last May, on the grounds of road safety alone, indicating that planners had no other objection to it.

Mr and Mrs Smith appealed against the decision and the public inquiry has been set for Tuesday, June 10, at 10am, at Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road, Malvern. Letters have been sent to interested parties inviting them to attend, but anyone who wants to speak will have to make sure they are there at the opening of the inquiry.