A WORRIED Cradley business centre boss fears trade in the area will take a massive hit if proposals for a new travellers’ site are given the go-ahead.

Denise McCarron, who runs Cradley Enterprise Centre in Maypole Fields, warned businesses could be driven away if the site is built on nearby Saltbrook Road, which lies on the border with Quarry Bank and Lye.

Documents appeared on Dudley Council’s planning website unveiling the plan for former Saltbrook Scrap Yard, which backs onto the River Stour, to be converted with two residential pitches to include a touring caravan, mobile home and dayroom and six transit pitches with a utility block and parking facilities.

Cradley Enterprise Centre has more than a 100 start-up and small businesses currently operating there.

But Ms McCarron hit out at the plans saying the travellers’ site would hit business and employment as well as causing traffic problems.

She said: “We are directly opposite the proposed site. We have spent over £1.5million on our two sites here in Maypole Fields over the last two years, so are dismayed by the potential of a travellers’ site right by us.

“If this consent goes through, the area will suffer from a lack of new start-ups and consequently employment opportunities.

“We are further concerned by the traffic situation on a crossroads which is already a problem, with many minor accidents occurring – which will only be made worse with the addition of lorries and caravans.”

Scores of residents have already voiced their objections to the scheme. The applicant has not yet been revealed but Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley confirmed it wasn’t an authority plan.

Councillor Harley added they were pressing ahead with its plan to build a temporary transit site in Budden Road, Coseley.