A TRAVELLERS’ site built near Selby could be closed down if a retrospective planning application is not approved by councillors.

The application, submitted last week on behalf of the travellers, seeks a change of use from a café and truck stop in South Milford, to a “gypsy caravan site”.

The application includes the building of a cess tank, drainage and communal washing and toilet facilities.

Construction work at the Peckfield site in South Milford is already well under way and nearby residents say travellers have been living there for the past four months.

However, Bill Hobman, chairman of South Milford Parish Council, said: “The parish council would likely support Selby District Council in their efforts to resolve such matters by provision of properly equipped pitches for travellers at allocated locations.”

He said: “Typically we have not been in favour of recommending approval of retrospective planning applications although, in our role as consultees, we do look at each application on its merits.”

Meanwhile, Selby District Council missed a deadline to apply for £1 million government funding for a permanent gypsy site somewhere in the region.

At a meeting on April 20, the councillors failed to come up with a first-choice location for a future site and could also not agree on two further second-choice sites.

Though the exact location of the sites remains a closely guarded secret, The Press understands they include Carlton, Eggborough, Kelfield, Osgodby, Bondgate in Selby, Church Fenton airfield and Wistow.

The council had a statutory duty to create a travellers’ site with room for between ten and 12 families.

Last month’s meeting analysed figures showing there were currently 24 spaces for gipsies and travellers at sites which the council is responsible for in Selby district, on Common Lane in Burn and Carlton, near Goole, and a further 34 more on private sites at Flaxley Road in Selby, Towton and North Duffield.