THE site of the former Fox Wood School in Birchwood will not become a space for travellers according to Councillor Russ Bowden.

The land is earmarked for sale to a developer but residents have raised concerns about the future of the site.

A planning application has been submitted to demolish a building on land off Chatfield Drive and Cllr Bowden (LAB - Birchwood) said it is most likely that it will then be sold for housing.

He reassured residents: “People know we are looking for a travellers’ site but there is obviously no way it’s going to be on there, in the middle of a residential area.

“We have had travellers on there in past years and mounds were created in 2015 to stop any other incursions.”

He added that councillors got a deal for residents where some money from the sale will be reinvested back in the community, in the neighbourhood hub project at Birchwood Leisure and Tennis Complex.

But Cllr Bowden said he would be objecting to the application at a planning meeting because the documents contain no proposal for a pedestrian crossing on Admirals Road, which he has campaigned for.

He said: “The community wants a pedestrian crossing and we have been asking for one for a long time. It’s the natural route for people walking to the shopping centre, schools or the library. But it’s difficult to cross that road.”

Eight residents from different parts of the town have also objected to the application because they are worried about the consequences for wildlife living on the land.

One objection said the area is ‘hedgehog heaven’ and added: “As you may be aware hedgehogs are becoming an endangered species. Could you please clear the site with care and due diligence.”

The application is due to be decided at a meeting this evening, Wednesday.