ANGRY hecklers at last night’s meeting about potential gypsy and traveller sites in Wyre Forest accused councillors of bringing them there under false pretences.

Stourport Civic Hall was tension charged as hundreds packed in to Wyre Forest District Council’s special overview and scrutiny meeting, where residents were outraged not to have been able to have their say.

The meeting, which overflowed into the civic chamber, with more people standing outside, was called to discuss the provision for 28 gypsy/traveller pitches up to 2017 and a further 15 up to 2022, as well as one pitch for travelling show people.

Five objectors were registered to speak to the committee, which will make recommendations to cabinet tonight. Cabinet will then decide which of the 15 potential sites will be put forward for a six-week consultation, beginning in October.

Furious residents at the meeting disagreed with the process and shouted at the committee, chaired by Independent councillor Helen Dyke: “You’ve brought us here under false pretences,” and “This isn’t democracy.”

Labour councillor Adrian Sewell was applauded when he proposed that, instead, all 15 sites went to consultation. The motion was seconded by fellow Labour councillor Vi Higgs, who said it would “give everybody a proper chance to talk about it”.

There was uproar, however, when Conservative Nicky Gale’s proposal was carried that cabinet would decide tonight which sites to consult on.

Among the speakers was chairman of Stone Parish Council, James Arbuthnott, who said his council first heard of the plans in The Shuttle. He added: “The local road system of country lanes is entirely unsuited to the type of transport the gypsies and travellers would use, consisting predominantly of single lanes. There are no shops, schools or doctors’ surgeries in the area.” He added it would remove the opportunity for Stone to have its own community centre.

Jim Long, of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council, called on the committee to remove Blakedown from the site list and residents clapped and cheered when he said: “In the words of the owner ‘over my dead body.’”

Several speakers claimed that their town and parish councils had not been told of the plans but Mr Parker insisted that all clerks were contacted by consultants Baker Associates.

Independent Community and Health Concern councillor, Dixon Sheppard, said: “Stourport has done its fair share of accomodating gypsies and travellers and apart from the tolerated sites, as far as I am concerned that’s it.”

Council Leader, Conservative John Campion, said: “Unless a process of some description is followed we will see what is happening down at Dale Farm happening here in Wyre Forest. The only way we can do that is by having a sensible stategy of authorised development.”

Mrs Dyke said: “I hope that everyone puts as much passion into the consultation as they have into this meeting.”

Cabinet will meet tonight at 6pm at Stourport Civic Hall.