FURIOUS residents are ready to fight plans for a gipsy caravan site near their homes - for the second time in three years.

A planning application for eight caravans plus a toilet and shower block at a site off New Cut Lane in Woolston has been sent to Warrington Borough Council.

If approved, the site would be occupied by four gipsy families, but nearby residents will be doing their utmost to block the scheme.

Three years ago, a similar plan was turned down by councillors after they received a petition from neighbours and businesses on the New Cut industrial estate.

And now the residents are gearing up for a fresh battle to keep out the caravans.

Among those who want the gipsies to stay away is John Cardwell, of Transport Contract Cleaners, on New Cut Lane.

He said: "There was a huge outcry against the plan three years ago and the residents are going to be just as worried by this new proposal.

"An industrial estate is not the right place for these caravans. Huge trucks are driven around here and if there are children running about there could be a terrible accident.

"The problems caused by gipsy sites are well-known and I'm sure that insurance rates would go up if there were caravans here.

"I'll be objecting to this plan straight away and I'm sure that lots of other people will too."

Further objections are expected from members of Woolston Parish Council, who will be discussing the application at their meeting on Wednesday next week.

Chairman, Clr. Tom Swift said: "We were opposed to the last plan for gipsy caravans and I would think that there will be lots of opposition to this one too."

A decision on the proposals will be made at a future meeting of the borough council's plans committee.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.