A COOKLEY resident says there is a “conflict of interest” in the owner of a plot shortlisted for travellers pitches also being the Government agency responsible for delivering gypsy sites.

The issue was brought up when nearly 250 people packed into Cookley Village Hall for a meeting about the former Lea Castle Hospital site becoming a potential home to 15 traveller pitches.

Gill Hill, spokeswoman for The Crescent and Axborough Lane action group, told outraged residents that the land was owned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), part of the Department for Communities and Local Government, which is pumping £60 million into finding accommodation for gypsies and travellers nationwide.

The HCA works with local authorities to deliver the provision and can provide grants.

Speaking to The Shuttle after the meeting, Ms Hill said: “The HCA seem to own a large part of the site. The HCA is the agency acting for the Government, which is pushing for traveller sites across the country.

"So they are the ones acting for the Government and putting funding money towards it. Therefore they are providing funding for land that they are desperate to sell.”

She added: “It seems that it’s just a conflict of interest.”

Mike Parker, director of planning and regulatory services at the district council, confirmed the HCA owned the majority of the land at the site and the rest was split between Coventry and North Warwickshire NHS, the Secretary of State and Worcestershire County Council.

He said: “The legislation or guidance-making body is the Department of Communities and Local Government, not the HCA. It is the case that through the HCA’s national affordable housing programme there is grant support for the creation of gypsy and traveller sites but no approach has been made for any funding at this time.”

Residents made points about unsuitability of the site at Friday’s meeting, chaired by Wolverley and Cookley parish councillor Chris Nicholls, independent of Wyre Forest District Council’s scheduled consultation.

Labour councillor Mr Nicholls said: “Many views were expressed but the vast majority were around the fact that Lea Castle was inappropriate as a site for travellers.

“Most felt that the site could be used for a variety of purposes, employment for a high-tech company, health in the form of a hospice, a retirement village or for recreational purposes. These would fit in with the district council’s local plan.”

Ms Hill said the action group was worried that the site had derelict buildings containing asbestos and ducts for gas and electricity.

“My concern is for the children of the travellers as, unless the council spends millions taking away these dangers, they are going to expose children to these risks,” she said.