PROPOSALS for a Gypsy site at Somersham are once again facing opposition from the parish council. At a meeting on Monday night, the council recommended Huntingdonshire District Council planners refuse an application for six caravan pitches on land north o

PROPOSALS for a Gypsy site at Somersham are once again facing opposition from the parish council.

At a meeting on Monday night, the council recommended Huntingdonshire District Council planners refuse an application for six caravan pitches on land north of The Paddocks, off Chatteris Road.

The application would provide a temporary home at the site for the extended family of applicant Fred Adams for up to three years.

The parish council lodged 11 objections, citing a loss of amenity, harm to local businesses and the character of the landscape.

It is the second time Mr Adams has made a bid to move his family on to the land, which he owns. A previous application was turned down by the council on the grounds that the road access would be dangerous and the site would have an adverse impact on the landscape and lifestyle of nearby residents.

However, Mr Adams told the meeting he believed his new application negated the previous concerns of the council.

He said: "The revised application relocates the access point to a safe place which has the written support of the highway authority.

"We intend to provide a comprehensive landscaping programme, including native hedging and semi-mature specimen native trees."

Despite Mr Adams' pleas, the parish council unanimously recommended to refuse the plan. The final decision will be taken by HDC's development control panel on March 17.

After the meeting, Mr Adams said: "I am disappointed, not surprised. I thought we were living in a modern society but it seems there are still prejudices in place. Attitudes have to change. We are not monsters, but regular people.