PEOPLE in Ellesmere Port are being urged to attend drop-in sessions to find out more about a proposed Gypsy and Traveller site in the town.

It comes after members of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s cabinet voted to submit a planning application and approve funding for a £1.1 million transit site at the former Foxfields pub on Poole Hall Road.

A number of illegal encampments have been set up recently in Northwich and the new site would mean police can move Gypsies and Travellers off the illegal sites as soon as possible.

Currently, unauthorised camps require court orders to force occupants to move elsewhere.

Once a borough has a transit site – such as the one proposed for Ellesmere Port – those who refuse to move from an unauthorised camp have to leave the borough and cannot return for three months.

There were 70 encampments in the borough between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2018, with the majority being in Ellesmere Port and Chester.

The drop-in sessions will take place at the Overpool Community Centre, Rivacre Rd, Ellesmere Port on:

• Friday, September 14, 11am to 2pm

• Saturday, September 15,11am to 2pm

• Monday, September 17, 5pm to 8pm

The planning application details can also be viewed on the Cheshire West and Chester Council website: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/planning (application number: 18/03378/FUL)

The council says that transit sites are “permanent sites for temporary use by residents”.

Each pitch would accommodate two touring caravans and two parking spaces and the site would also include two electrical hook-ups, a standpipe of drinking water and drainage and shared bathrooms, rent will be charged on a daily basis.

Cllr Angela Claydon, Cabinet Member for Housing at the council, said: “I would encourage residents to visit one of these drop in sessions. The Cheshire and Warrington Traveller team manager will be available to answer all questions and explain why this site has been chosen and how the Transit Site would work.

“Some residents have already contacted us about the proposals and we are writing to them to explain the planning process and how they can be involved and invite them to view the plans.

“The reason for proposing a transit site is to help reduce the number of unauthorised encampments on public or private land. Having a transit site will allow the police to direct groups to a suitable pitch on a site owned by the council.”

The Planning Committee on October 24 will be held in public at the Ellesmere Port Civic Hall and will be broadcast live online.