A GROUP of gipsies who have applied for permission to settle caravans in Cropthorne have been applauded by a Wychavon councillor for following the correct planning process.

But councillor Malcolm Meikle, member for Fladbury, also praised the council's prompt action in seeking a High Court judgement which meant travellers could not occupy the site without first winning a change of use permission.

"It is a good thing that in this instance an application has come in before someone's tried to occupy the site," said cllr Meikle.

"It is being done through the proper process which is what is different to what has happened in other areas.

"It is also because Wychavon has acted quickly and got a High Court judgement to stop people getting on the site before putting in an application."

Cllr Meikle was referring to sites in Wyre Piddle and Eckington where travellers descended on sites and "within 72 hours had installed caravans, electricity, water and hard standing" before eventually being evicted.

Cllr Meikle would not confirm whether he would use his veto to ensure the application - for three mobile homes and three touring caravans on land next to the main road - would be decided by the council's planning committee rather than by the Head of Planning under delegated powers.

"I will wait to see what objections there are and what the officer's recommendation is likely to be and wait to see what the highways officers say about it," he added.

"The field is next to a bend which I think has had four fatalities in the past so highway concerns could prove critical."

Cllr Meikle said the applicants, previously sited on a holiday site in Tewkesbury they were forced to vacate, had purchased the land and were currently settled in a lay-by next to the New Inn.

"Their current site is obviously a concern for the neighbours and I think is illegal because it backs onto the lay-by," he added.

D Connors has applied for a change of use on the site which is currently earmarked for agricultural use.