A group of travellers could soon have a permanent home a few miles from Wickford.

Developers have put in a detailed planning application to house nine families in caravans on three surfaced plots on land opposite Alands Farm, Back Lane, East Hanningfield.

Town planning consultancy firm, Smart Planning, is behind the application and their director, Russell Ford, claims travellers do not have enough housing in Essex.

He said: "Travellers have got to have a reasonably solid site, a place for children to return to on an everyday basis.

"The advantage of this site is that it is quite close to to East Hanningfield Primary School."

Mr Ford is determined the land is put to better use.

Published Monday August 30, 2004

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