A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a temporary travellers' site in Dudley borough is set to get the go-ahead despite objections from nearly 1,000 people.

Council officers are recommending approval for the proposed 40 caravan scheme, close to playing fields at the rear of Budden Road, in Coseley.

Members of Dudley's Development Control Committee meeting will have the final say on the proposal which has attracted 21 formal objections plus a petition of opposition signed by 958 people.

The decision to give the plan the green-light or not, was delayed following the cancellation of a previous planning meeting this month.

The scheme was first proposed by the council in February and councillors are expected to finally resolve the issue on May 29.

The proposal would allow a temporary site for three years before the borough chooses a permanent travellers' encampment.

Objections have included the invasion of privacy for existing residents; anti-social behaviour and fly tipping by users of the site; safety issues due to increased numbers of vehicles and caravans along with congestion.

In April, Dudley Council's cabinet members heard the scheme would cost £280,000 but could reduce the £150,000 spent by the authority each year on dealing with  illegal encampments.

The authority also claims it allows the police and the council to act far more quickly to remove travellers from such unauthorised encampments.

Speaking at that time, Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said: "We want to put a stop to unauthorised camps, which cause stress and misery for our residents not to mention thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money to clean up.

"We believe that the Budden Road land is best placed to accommodate a temporary travellers' transit site to solve the problem.

"This is not a done deal – as with any other planning applications, it will have to go through a proper due process. It will be decided upon by an independent committee made up of members of all three political parties."

Following two public consultations, planning officers have now recommended councillors give the go-ahead on condition the land is returned to its present state in three years time.