A DECISION has been deferred on controversial plans to turn a Cotswold field into a site where gypsy families can live.

Cotswold District Council's (CDC) planning committee was expected to rule on the application for the field off the A429 Fosse Way, between Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold, at a meeting yesterday morning.

However, during the meeting Cllr John Birch suggested delaying a decision so that councillors could visit the site, and members agreed.

Cllr Birch made the point that the field is in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and therefore may not be appropriate for a gypsy site.

He also said that the traffic on the A429 could pose a threat to residents at the travellers site.

The field on the south-eastern side of Fosse Way is currently the home of a storage building.

The developer, named as a Mr Aldridge, wants to create four pitches for gypsies.

Stow Town Council has objected to the application due to the site being in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

While Maugersbury Parish Council has also objected, saying that vehicles turning in and out of the new site would make an already dangerous road even more hazardous.

Swell Parish Council, although not directly affected, echoed Maugersbury's objections and said the A429 already carries a dangerous amount of traffic.

Various residents and business people in the area have also pointed out that the new site would be an eyesore and that slow moving, horse-drawn vehicles will cause road safety issues.

One resident said that there have been 10 accidents which caused injury along this stretch of toad, the majority of which appear to have been caused by vehicles failing to stop when others are turning.

In a report to the planning committee, case officer Andrew Moody said: “The key question in determining this application is whether the general need for gypsy traveller accommodation within Cotswold District outweighs the identified harm to the AONB."

A decision on the application is now expected at next month's planning committee meeting.