COLCHESTER’S controversial new official traveller site is being guarded around the clock by security staff – to stop travellers moving in illegally.

A security guard with a dog is now patrolling the Severalls Lane site after two attempts by travellers to occupy it illegally.

The £1.7million, Government-funded site is due to open at the end of the month.

As well as a dozen caravan pitches, its facilities include a children’s play area, a manager’s office and two day rooms.

Essex County Council, which is behind the development, has already chosen the families to move on to the pitches.

Gerard Oxford, Colchester councillor for the area, said: “Once the snagging had been completed by the contractor and it was ready for occupation, they took the decision to bring in security to prevent it from being occupied by illegal travellers, as opposed to those approved to go on the site.

“Those that have been chosen have been carefully selected and have paid deposits for their pitches. They will pay rent, council tax and they will have to pay their utility bills as well.

“Because there isn’t gas at the site, they will have gas cylinders delivered to the site, which they pay for via the site manager.”

He added the security guards would go once the site was occupied, since it would then become the responsibility of the council’s site manager.

Essex County Council will not discuss the cost of the security, but says it was factored into the original budget.

Mr Oxford described the security was “a sensible move”, after two attempts by other travellers to force their way on to the site in recent weeks.

One group later pitched up on private land a few yards away, opposite Rapid Electronics, in Severalls Lane.

A few days later it moved to the Gas Recreation Ground, off Bromley Road, only leaving on Sunday.

Mr Oxford added: “The last thing we would want to happen, and the last thing the residents of the nearby business park would want, is for it to be built and then for it to be occupied by people who have not been approved to get on the site.

“This way, those who have been selected have gone through that selection process and are known to the county council .

“They have been on a list for some time and know what is expected of them and what can be expected in return.”

A county council spokesman said: “We are keen to ensure our land and property is kept secure for health and safety reasons.

“As the site is not yet occupied, security personnel are present on the site until it is formally opened, when a site manager and residents will move on.”