FEARS have been raised about a traveller site being built in Rayleigh after plans were submitted to allow caravans on to green belt land.

A PLANNING application has gone to Rochford District Council to allow caravans and horses on to the land next to Lords Golf and Country Club, in Hullbridge Road.

The proposal asks the council to allow “the stationing of caravans for residential purposes and keeping horses, together with the formation of a utility room”.

The site would be half the size of a football pitch and has prompted concerns from residents about the development of a traveller site.

Tina Piper, 43, from Kingsley Grange, and a member of Rayleigh Action Group, said: “I am a single parent and one of the main activities I enjoy is walking the dog through the area’s fields and countryside and we are losing more and more of this area.

“I work hard and I pay my taxes to live in this area and these people will be using our facilities, but not paying.

“I’m not saying they shouldn’t have somewhere to go, but people’s feelings and rights have to be considered.”

Rayleigh Town Council has objected to the site, due to the proposal being on metropolitan green belt land, but Rochford District Council will make the final decision on the plans with residents told to send any objections before August 20.

John Mason, councillor for Hawkwell West, said the proposal might not lead to a permanent traveller site.

He said: “We have had a number of sites which have provided temporary permission for families on a local council traveller site, but when that permission expires, they are aware of this and they move on.”

The plans have been put in by the Green Planning Studio and Mrs Ruth Reed, but they declined to comment.