Protesters claim land at Horsley Cross is not the right place for Tendring's first official gipsy encampment.

Tendring Council wants to set up a short term stopping place on land to the west of Horsley Cross roundabout, so travellers can be relocated if they turn up on other land.

The site would provide basic facilities such as water supply, sewerage and refuse disposal for up to six families and the travellers would be allowed to stay for up to 28 days.

But villagers protesting at the scheme claim the site is too close to the busy A120, making it dangerous for any children staying there.

They also pointed out most of the site would be needed when the road is dualled.

Now residents of Mistley, Little Bentley and Wix, the three villages bordering the site alongside a slip road off the A120, are joining forces to fight the proposal.

Several residents united at Mistley Parish Council last night with villagers from Little Bentley and Wix and after hearing their fears, councillors voted unanimously to back the objections.

Chairman Ian Rose said it seemed an expensive site to choose as most of the land would be needed to dual the A120.

He was also worried about pollution of the stream running through the site while farmers explained that if any fouling occured in fields, supermarkets would not buy their crops.

The dangerous access to the site from the A120 was highlighted along with the dangers to children.

"It's lunacy to put children so near a main road," said one man.

Clerk Richard Ling said he had written to all those living within about a quarter of a mile of the site and had received nine replies, representing 14 people, all of whom were opposed to the scheme.

Published Wednesday, January 29, 2003

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