AN objector to gypsy site plans for Manor Farm in Stourport is calling for councillors to axe it from their shortlist by applying the same criteria they used to rule out Naylor’s Field in Kidderminster’s Sutton Park.

Naylor’s Field was found to be “wholly unsuitable” for Wyre Forest District Council’s gypsy and traveller site consultation due to surrounding homes and access and Jonathan Cooper believes Manor Farm should be treated the same.

He claims the Sutton Park location was dropped due to Tory ward cabinet members Marcus Hart, Tracey Onslow and John Campion having a “not on my patch” attitude.

Conservative councillor Hart rejected the allegation and said: “Naylor’s Field was removed along with seven other sites solely on reasons given at the cabinet meeting in September.”

Mr Cooper posted a piece titled “Not On Our Patch You Don’t”, on the Wyre Forest Agenda website, in response to October’s Sutton Park Matters newsletter from Wyre Forest Conservatives.

The Tory circular informed residents that Naylor’s Field was no longer part of the consultation and that their three ward councillors had supported the decision.

Mr Cooper said: “Sutton Park Matters should really be rechristened ‘Not On Our Patch You Don't’.”

The newsletter quoted Mr Hart as saying: “We are sure residents would like to know that all three of your ward councillors, John, Tracey and I all supported the cabinet decision endorsing the comments made about Naylor's Field in that it is wholly unsuitable for a gypsy and traveller site due to highway access and the fact that it is surrounded on all four sides by residential properties and that the site should not be progressed at all.”

Mr Cooper wrote: “As John, Tracey and Marcus are cabinet members and deliver decisions on to the residents of the whole of Wyre Forest, then I would like to highlight facts about Manor Farm that they were clearly unaware of.

“Like Naylor’s Field, Manor Farm is also surrounded by residential properties. Manor Farm itself is a residential property. Manor Farm provides the livelihood of many and Manor Farm is located on greenbelt land.”

He added: “So why was Naylor’s Field dismissed as a potential traveller site and not Manor Farm? Surely Wyre Forest should embrace our travelling community fairly and evenly. Judging by the comments in Sutton Park Matters John, Tracey and Marcus really do feel ‘Not On Our Patch You Don’t’.”

Mr Hart said: “I absolutely refute this in its entirety.”

He added: “Whilst myself and mytwo colleagues John and Tracey are cabinet members, we are also ward councillors, so as well as our strategic role we have to democratically represent our electorate like any other councillors in any of other wards affected by consultation.

If Mr Cooper feels that there are reasons similar to those of Naylor’s Field that could apply to Manor Farm then he can make these representations as part of the public consultation process and we will listen and make our decision at the end.” A meeting was due to be held at Stourport Civic Hall last night to discuss the town’s four possible sites at Manor Farm, Gables Yard, Saiwen and the land next to Nunn’s Corner.

It was the last in the district council’s public consultation meetings but representations can be made up until November 18 by email to LDF.Consultation@wyreforest dc.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy, Wyre Forest District Council, Duke House, Clensmore Street, Kidderminster, DY10 2JX.