Controversial plans for a Traveller caravan site in East Wellow are returning to committee after the council received 'a further representation'.

The application, for three pitches on land at Embley Lane, was initially permitted by Test Valley Borough Council's southern area planning committee on Tuesday June 13.

However, the council has now confirmed it will be brought before the committee for a second time after new information came to light. 

The council's online planning portal lists the application's status as 'current'. Such uncertainty is unusual in planning applications.

The scheme caused major concern to local residents, with many upset after June's meeting.

READ MORE: East Wellow Traveller site plans approved despite controversy

Felix Nolan and Tony Quinn applied to build three pitches on land at Embley Lane. Each pitch would 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 must 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.

Hampshire Chronicle: Plans for Traveller site

The application received 39 objections. 

Speaking at the June meeting, the applicants' 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.”

A spokesman from Test Valley Borough Council said: “Following the resolution of the council’s southern area planning committee meeting on June 13 to grant planning permission, the council received a further representation that raised matters requiring more consideration by southern area planning committee before a final decision is issued. Council officers are therefore currently undertaking further work in anticipation of submitting the application back to the committee at a future date.

“Planning permission had not been granted for this application. The SAPC resolved to grant planning permission, but this was subject to certain requirements being met first.”

Ward councillor Nick Adams-King said: "More information has come to light which could affect the view of the application I understand, so I’m really pleased it is going back to committee. The consequences of the decision the committee made in June are profound, it’s therefore entirely correct in my view that there should be further consideration of the application before it is determined.”

The nature of the new information is currently unknown.

Mr Murdoch has been approached for a comment.