Controversial plans for a Traveller caravan site in East Wellow have been approved.

The application has caused major concern to local residents, with many upset after the decision was made.

Felix Nolan and Tony Quinn can now build three pitches on land at Embley Lane. Each pitch will contain one mobile home, one utility dayroom and one touring caravan.

Concerns were raised due to Test Valley Borough Council's policy which states that applicants for Traveller sites have to have a local connection.

However, the planning officers referred to an appeal case for an application at Barton Stacey when the local connection was given less weight due to national planning policy.

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Test Valley Borough Council's southern area planning committee permitted the application on Tuesday June 13, despite 39 objections.

Christopher Craig, Wellow Parish Council vice chairman, spoke in objection. He said: “It is not necessary for the site to be here. The applicants have not given any evidence to justify the site or local connections. 

“We are concerned it will lead to further development in the future. We have spoken to the Traveller community about the applicants, but they do not know who they are.”

Louise Cutts, director of Wessex Planning, spoke on behalf of Embley Lane residents. Ms Cutts said: “The site is fundamentally unsuitable. It appears to be an exploitation of the site. 

“No valid reason has been given for the applicant to move to this area. The need for them to relocate needs to be genuine. We request you to refuse this application.”

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The applicant's agent Angus Murdoch said: “This has been developed in a methodical way. There are no outstanding objections from statutory consultees. 

“The applicants are bona fide travellers. The proposal was designed sympathetically for the landscape. It meets the accommodation needs of the family.”

Ward councillor Nick Adams-King said: “We have a duty to meet the needs of our Gypsy and Traveller communities. However, we need to be consistent in our decision-making. 

“There is no local connections here. They are not from the local Gypsy and Traveller community. It is your role to decide, you don't have to follow the officer's recommendation.”

Cllr Gordon Bailey urged the committee to refuse the scheme. He said: “This is a dangerous and unusual step. We already have 20 sites within a mile and a half of this area. It shouldn't dominate the existing settled community.”

However, Cllr Celia Dowden couldn't see how she could vote against it. She said: “This would be a gamble to vote against. We would be going up against government policy. It's a dilemma.”

The committee decided to permit the application with six votes for and four against.