HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition within only two days opposing plans for a travellers’ site in a York village.

City of York Council’s draft Local Plan, which will soon go out to public consultation, has proposed using land at Common Lane and Hassacarr Lane in Dunnington for a 15-pitch site, which would be ready between 2014 and 2029.

But residents and local businesses say this will remove any possibility of the land being used by the neighbouring Dunnington Sports Club and damage the image of Dunnington. The online petition, set up on Tuesday night, had more than 500 signatures yesterday morning, with the target being 5,000. The Local Plan, mapping out how the city will be developed until 2030, earmarks travellers’ sites off Malton Road, in Wetherby Road and at Elvington. The council has said the sites are needed to meet its legal duties to provide accommodation for travellers and showpeople.

Dunnington resident and business owner Victoria Adams said: “Dunnington is one of York’s rare gems and there is a really nice sense of community which you don’t always get anywhere else.

“There is a gorgeous play area opposite which is free to use and has the sort of facilities you would have to pay for elsewhere. The land where this travellers’ site may be placed is needed for parking for the sports club, to avoid parking on roads in the village and the problems this causes. Most existing or future travellers sites all seem to be on the same side of York and we don’t understand why.”

The petition said the Dunnington site would also be next to homes and a nature reserve. Derwent councillor Jenny Brooks told the council’s cabinet this week: “Dunnington needs extra sports pitches and parking, and if the village grows, the need becomes even greater.”

The council has said York must adhere to “statutory responsibilities to ensure the delivery of homes for all citizens” and the draft Local Plan has identified potential travellers sites “openly and publicly”. It said all residents will have the chance to comment on both the draft and finalised plans through public consultation.