RESIDENTS fear another Dale Farm could be allowed to develop if travellers move on to a new pitch in Rayleigh as part of a development for 772 homes.

As part of the plans, 15 traveller pitches will be created on the site known as Michelin’s Farm, off the A130 in Rawreth, near to the A127 Fairglen junction.

Each pitch can accommodate two caravans, meaning up to 30 could move on to the site.

An industrial estate has also been proposed for the site.

Patricia Putt, of Exmouth Drive, has lived in Rayleigh since 1967.

She said: “Why do we have to have the site here? It will become another Dale Farm situation.

Are we going to spend millions of pounds to then move them out as well?

“I cannot understand the logic in giving travellersasite. I thought they kept on moving?”

Rochford Council is required by the East of England Regional Assembly to provide 15 pitches by 2018.

This site would mean all the required traveller spaces in the district will be in one place, a move resident Linda Kendall called “cynical” and another Dale Farm in the making.

Mrs Kendall, of Lubbards Close, Rayleigh, and Mrs Putt have set up a public meeting this Thursday, at the Pope John Paul Hall, London Road, for residents to voice their concerns at the development plans.

Mrs Kendall said: “We’ve printed flyers and have been distributing them around the area, and so far we’ve had very good feedback.

“We haven’t met one person who knew the exact details of the plan. This after seven years of ‘consultation’ by Rochford Council. One document I’ve seen is 900 pages long. What chance have the public had to study such tomes?”

A petition has also been set up online against the plans, and has been picked up rapidly by residents using sites such as Facebook, receiving more than 600 signatures in just 36 hours.

Government inspectors recently met Rochford Council to decide on the final stages of the planning process.

Commenting on the travellers’ site, Councillor Keith Hudson, responsible for planning at the council, said: “We looked at other sites and it’s the most appropriate because of its access to the main roads.

“It’s the most accessible part of the district and the ideal location. All the other sites we looked at would have meant coming further into the district.”

Those interested in going to next Thursday’s meeting, at 7pm, are advised that parking is limited.