CHESHIRE East Council has given the go ahead for a residential caravan site in Winterley for two gypsy families.

Approximately 190 villagers objected to the application for four caravans and the keeping of horses on two small fields on the west side of Elton Lane close to the Haslington Bypass.

Visiting Haslington councillor Steve Edgar spoke against the application at yesterday's (Wednesday) meeting of the southern planning committee, saying the site was unsustainable and unsuitable for children.

"Nearly 200 residents have written objections. This is an extremely high number for a small village like Winterley, surely the weight of opposition must count for something," said Cllr Edgar.

"So, as a committee, do you reasonably consider this site is a good place for families and children to live? Continuous noise, boggy ground, fumes, dangerous access – is it really sustainable?"

Objector Christopher Stones told the committee the access between Elton Lane and the proposed site is privately owned.

"No permission has or will be granted to the site for residential purposes," he said.

This was disputed by Nathaniel Green, the agent representing applicant Jeff Cook.

"Although it is not a planning matter, the title register is clear that the owner of the land in question has a right of access along the private road as far as the access gate to the property," he said.

Cheshire East Council does not currently have a five-year land supply of Gypsy and Traveller sites in the borough.

Mr Green said: "It is estimated by Cheshire East Council that there is a recognised need, and certainly by my calculation, for an extra 29 Gypsy pitches in the period to 2030."

Sandbach councillor Mike Benson said he was concerned the issue about the right of access was "fuzzy".

He added: "My general concern is the description that there's no significant impact on the neighbouring community, but when you get 190 people writing in to object to it it's a shame the site will not have the support of the local community in that way."

Crewe South councillor Laura Smith said: "I understand that the community have written in and respect that, but I have worries that this is because of the people who are applying generate a wider response than if, say, it was two holiday caravans or a different type of planning application, so I think we'll always get that kind of response from the community."

She added: "I haven't heard anything, apart from that access bit, that would concern me."

Principal planning officer Daniel Evans confirmed the access to the site is off a private driveway.

"The agent of the applicant has advised, as part of their presentation, that they have a right of access over that, we've got no information to disagree with that point ," said Mr Evans.

"And in any event, should there be an issue in terms of providing an access at that point, it's a civil matter between the people who own the farm and the applicants for this application."

The application was approved with seven councillors voting in favour, one against and two abstaining.