A CONTROVERSIAL travellers site on green belt land in Little Thurrock has been given a stay of execution after the government overturned a decision not allow to the site.

The site on Malvern Road has been the subject of controversy ever since Easter 2013 when the West and Birch families moved onto the site illegally.

The inspectorate though has gone in the face of protest from residents and Thurrock Council planning committees decision to refuse the site to allow the temporary application for five years.

The families lodged a planning application in October 2013 only to see it unanimously turned down by the planning committee on the back of resident protest which saw over 500 people sign a petition against it.

An appeal was launched straight away and now, nearly two years later, the families have been granted permission to provide five pitches, with a number of conditions that must be met.

Conservative leader Councillor Rob Gledhill has lead the protest from the start. He said he is “astounded” by the decision to allow the permission.

He said: “The inspector heard that they had alternative land to move to, the approach road is far too small to move the mobile homes down and most importantly it's another valuable piece of greenbelt in Thurrock lost, albeit temporarily. "

For more reaction, see tomorrow's Gazette.