THE go-ahead for a second permanent gipsy/traveller site in St Helens has been condemned by those living nearby.

It will be located off Hoghton Road, in Sutton, and follows a planning appeal, by Mr Dan McAllister, after initial proposals were turned down by St Helens Council.

Marshalls Cross councillor John Beirne, who has opposed the plans from the start, said: "There have been a number of caravans on the land for some time now but I have always been totally against a permanent gipsy site being brought into the area.

"I collected hundreds of signatures on three separate petitions from local residents against the application and I have also written two letters of objection and numerous letters were sent by residents. Yet despite such strong feeling, the planning inspectorate have totally disregarded the opinion of local residents to allow the site to remain."

A number of conditions have been recommended in the report including landscaping work around the perimeter fences and no more than 12 caravans occupying the area at any one time, unless agreed by St Helens Council.

A spokesman for the council said: "We turned down the original proposals for the Hoghton Road site but an appeal was made to the DoE and now that this has been accepted, we have to abide by that decision."

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