Planners are recommending approval for a residential caravan site for two Gypsy families in Winterley near Crewe, despite almost 200 objections.

Approximately 190 residents have written to Cheshire East Council to object to the application for four caravans, which would be on two small fields on the west side of Elton Lane close to the Haslington Bypass.

Part of the site would be used to keep horses and stables.

Haslington Parish and Sandbach Town councils have also objected.

Among the objections are the site is in the open countryside and outside the Winterley Settlement Boundary.

There are also fears about access directly on to the bypass, concerns raised that any approval would set a precedent for more pitches as well as the impact on the existing infrastructure.

The application has been referred to Wednesday's meeting of the southern planning committee at the request of Sandbach councillor Laura Crane (Lab) and Haslington councillor Steve Edgar (Con).

In her letter to the committee, Cllr Crane said she had concerns over the access 'whether from the A534 Haslington Bypass where this a blind bend and therefore low visibility, or from Elton Lane which is single track and narrow'.

"Cars would not have the acceleration required to safely exit, never mind caravans and horse boxes," said Cllr Crane.

She added: "Elton Lane and the surrounding area are already prone to flooding so removing soakaway land will further antagonise this issue."

Cllr Edgar also raised access issues in his letter as well as other concerns, including the site being best and most versatile agricultural land and fears of a precedent being set for more development.

Two letters of support were received by the council.

These said the proposal will help with the diversity of the area and be good for the community.

In a report due to go before councillors at Wednesday's meeting, the council's planning officer states: "The application site is located within the open countryside where Gypsy and Traveller accommodation is considered to be acceptable subject to compliance with the development plan."

He said the application site is considered to be relatively sustainable and, subject to conditions, the proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of landscape impact, forestry, access and drainage.

"There is no significant impact on neighbouring amenity caused by the proposed development," said the officer.

Cheshire East does not have currently have a five-year supply of sites in the borough.

The officer says: "The applicants also have a personal need to live within the area and this is weighted positively in the weight of the decision given the lack of alternatives sites available in the area."

The application will be considered at Wednesday's (March 16) meeting of the southern planning committee which takes place at 10am at Crewe Municipal Buildings.