A PLAN to build a traveller site which could be home to dozens of families less than three miles outside Witney has sparked concern among neighbours.

West Oxfordshire District Council is considering an application to set up 12 plots on the site of a disused quarry in Riding Lane, Crawley.

The plan would help the council meet its target of creating 14 new plots for travellers in the district, which is set by the South East England Regional Assembly.

The man behind the scheme has said there is a need to build more sites for the travelling community in Oxfordshire. But people living near the site have said they are worried about the impact the development will have on the local community.

Les Smith owns the Smith Bros. scrapyard next to the site, and is the cousin of the man behind the application. He said: “I’m dead against these plans, and so are a lot of other people. I want to speak to the council if it does get passed, because I will want them to find us another scrapyard.

“I don’t want a load of travellers down here next to us.”

He added: “They have asked for 12 plots to be passed, but don’t tell you that they end up getting five or six families per plot.”

Mr Smith said that could mean between 100 and 300 people living on the site. However, Gary Brewer, gypsy and traveller liaison officer for Oxfordshire County Council, said each plot was designed for one family.

But he admitted this could include extended family, which could allow up to six caravans on each site.

Mr Brewer said: “It would then be down to the site owner to ensure there was a six-metre gap between each caravan according to fire regulations.”

Frank Taylor, who owns nearby Chasewood Farm, is worried about the impact the site would have on the community.

He said: “I think the problems with traffic congestion are going to be enormous. I am also angry that I was not sent a letter about these plans as I’m not classified as a neighbour.

“I don’t think the council has done enough to let people know what is happening.”

Lauren Basson, who has a farm near to the proposed site, said: “One of my main issues is that this is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and the traffic impact alone will have a detrimental affect on the surrounding area.”

However, the man behind the application has defended the proposals.

Tony Smith, of Burford Road, Minster Lovell — who is also a member of the travelling community — said: “It will be no different to the other site I own in Minster Lovell.

“We have never had any problems or trouble down there and the authorities are aware of that.

“I actually think the privately-run sites are better than those run by the council, and there is a need for more traveller sites in Oxfordshire.”

Mr Smith said he would be happy to meet any residents who had concerns to talk.

Consultation letters have been sent out to several parish councils near to the site, including the nearest in Crawley, Hailey, Leafield, and Minster Lovell.

Crawley Parish Council chairman, Colin Dingwall, said: “We plan on getting everyone together to hold a meeting to see what those feelings are.”

Parish councils in Minster Lovell and Hailey also plan to hold public meetings to discuss the application.

A district council spokesman said: “We can confirm that an application has been made. However, as consultation is ongoing, we cannot comment any further on this matter.”