A PLANNING application has been submitted designed to transform a Cleeve Prior caravan site that is said to have become "problematic" in recent years.

West Country Developments has submitted an outline planning application for 80 new homes on open space on land at Evesham Road, Cleeve Prior.

The site has been a travellers site for a number of years and is described by the applicant as "problematic", after becoming notorious in recent years.

Last October police executed a warrant at the site when they discovered cannabis plants, and recovered bikes, a caravan, cash and a jewellery box that had been stolen in various thefts around the county.

And three people were jailed in November 2017 for their part in violent disorder that erupted at the site in February 2016, when police officers were attacked and a police vehicle was damaged.

Planning documents reveal that in 2014 the owners of the site approached West Country Developments stating that they all wished to move from the site due to the contaminated condition of the land and the health problems those conditions posed.

The documents says: "West Country Developments entered into agreements with the owners and opened discussions with the parish council regarding development proposals.

"Two public meetings were held in the village to gauge opinion as to the draft proposals for the site. In a show of hands vote at one meeting, all bar two people out of an attendance of around 120 people voted in favour of development in principle.

"The widespread support for development of the site for housing expressed in the meetings translated into a policy for the site for its redevelopment.

"There remains widespread support from local residents to see this site redeveloped and the owners are keener than ever to relocate as conditions at the site worsen with illegal fly-tipping of non-inert materials a common occurrence."

The application is suggesting a mix of house types ranging from two bed houses to five bed units mixed with 40 per cent.

The applicant adds: "The site is visually unattractive and its appearance seriously detracts from the quality of the area.

"Housing, as proposed, in a spacious well-landscaped setting would significantly enhance the character of the area."

Evesham Journal reader David Simpson wrote: "The site has been the subject of much criminal activity and news articles published by the Journal recently included a number of search warrants executed there by police with stolen items being found.

"I'm sure the local members of the public would like to have a say on the application."

And Cleeve Prior resident Tom Carr has submitted his views to the authority saying: "Whilst the site in question was disallowed from the final adopted version of the Cleeve Prior neighbourhood plan, due to being outside the village development boundary and not a brown field site, there was wide support of residents for the option to develop the site as a means to clearing it up."

Mr Carr added that for the application to go through he called for there to be sufficient green space allocated within the site, and a roundabout as a condition of site access.

Anyone interested in having their say in the consultation needs to submit their views before the deadline, Thursday, February 28. Comments can be made by visiting Wychavon District Council's website, and searching for application 19/00140/OUT.