A SCHEME to house a gipsy site on land at Higher Whitley has provoked anger among local residents.

Businessman Paul Bryan has submitted a plan to build the site on land off Dark Lane in the tranquil, leafy village.

And the application has stirred emotions among villagers who say the scheme should not go ahead.

Eighteen of them packed Monday's Whitley Parish Council meeting to lodge their objections to the blueprint that have been lodged with Vale Royal Borough Council.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said irrespective of what would be placed on the site, this was an area of countryside that would be destroyed and ruined by development.

She added: "We are not totally against travellers or gipsies, but development of any kind here would not be appropriate.

"This is a beautiful village and much of what makes this area so beautiful would be spoiled by this kind of scheme.

"We will fight this all the way."

Parish councillors agreed to oppose the plans after hearing from the members of the public and also from Mr Bryan, who lives in Higher Whitley, who gave his reasons behind the plan.

However there were no more details on what exactly would be on the site and whether or not it would be permanent.

Councillors objected on the grounds that the proposed site is in the green belt and the conservation area.

It will now de discussed by councillors sitting on the planning committee at Vale Royal Borough Council next month.