Plans passed for gypsy site

HOUSES, a doctors surgery and a public open space will soon replace a privately owned gypsy site in Bidford.

The planning application for the new development was granted by Stratford District Council, which felt the land could be put to better use.

Les Greenwood, the council’s planning development manager, said: "It was thought that better use could be made of the land and new developments were accepted at a committee meeting for financial reasons.

"The council still has a gypsy site in Pathlow in Stratford-upon-Avon and there are a number of other private sites around Stratford for travellers to go to."

A review of gypsies’ and travellers’ needs by the council over the next six months could mean that more space will have to be put aside for long-term camps.

"We don’t know what the results of the assessment will mean for Alcester specifically.

"What we are doing is part of a project the Government has told us to carry out with other councils and we will know more details when it has been completed," said Mr Greenwood.