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Residents have expressed their increasing fear that a second traveller site could pop up in Irby at the end of Woodlands Road, as land nearby has gone on sale, less than 600 yards from the controversial Townshend Avenue traveller site.
As reported by the Wirral Globe, Nine plots of approximately 0.3 acres each are being sold at a guide price of £30,000 per plot, after a single larger plot failed to sell at auction on September 2 for a guide price of £300,000. Six plots have now been sold, with at least one selling within the last 24 hours. An auction is set to take place on October 7, through Barney Estates to auction the remaining three.
The auction house says the land is an "excellent opportunity" to acquire flat freehold land in a "highly desirable" area, suitable for strategic land, amenity use, equestrian or agricultural use, or long-term investment opportunities, subject to all necessary consents.
Concerns have grown over the land's similarity to the current Towshend Avenue site, with it being a similar size and also having green belt status. The land here was bought by three families in August who settled on the land, but have been met with controversy as they started construction without the required planning permission.
Recently, 30 Irby residents attended a town meeting which discussed the concerns of the traveller site, such as more sites popping up, since the council cannot yet legally remove the families from the Irby site.
One resident said: "We can't let this happen again." Another local homeowner described the swift purchase of the plots as looking like a "co-ordinated effort", though there is no substantial evidence they have been bought by Travellers.
Ward councillor Mark Skillicorn told the Globe that Wirral Council is aware of the sale and enforcement officers have been visiting both Townshend Avenue and Woodlands Road "two or three times a week". He said the local authority are "well and truly onto it" but described many rumours circulating on social media as "90% untrue".
One resident, whose elderly parents live on Woodlands Road described their fear to the outlet. They said they "knew Woodlands would be next", and even if the council is aware, they've asked what else can they do to stop it.
Questions have been raised via social media if the council can issue another Temporary Stop Notice if the land will be used for a similar purpose after purchase. But, according to Section 171E of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, local authorities must first form the view that an actual breach of planning control has already occurred or is happening.
A Temporary Stop Notice has already been served on the existing traveller site to stop construction works, although trees had been cleared and hardstanding had been laid by this point. Those who bought the land said they'd submitted a planning application, which was found to have insufficient information it. They have said they will refile the plans, which will prompt the consultation period, so locals can voice their objections.
The council have been accused of employing 'delay tactics', because one member at the meeting alleged the development had been legitimised by delays.
Rumours have still swirled over the potential three purchasers of the remaining land on sale. One local rumour alleges that a man who was seen visiting the land had "an Irish accent," although this claim hasn't been proven.
No further information has been released about the use of the land, nor the people who have purchased the six of the nine plots on sale on Woodlands Road.
