Cheshire West and Chester Council is urging residents to find out more about a proposed Traveller transit site at three special drop-in sessions.
The sessions are being organised to ensure that Ellesmere Port residents can find out more about the proposals, and have their questions answered by council officers.
The sessions will take place at the Overpool Community Centre, Rivacre Rd, Ellesmere Port on:
• Friday 14th September (11am to 2pm)
• Saturday 15th September (11am to 2pm)
• Monday 17th September (5pm to 8pm)
The planning application details can also be viewed on the Cheshire West and Chester Council website: cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/planning (application number: 18/03378/FUL)
Transit sites are permanent sites for temporary use by residents. The planning application is to build on the site of the former Foxfields Public House on Poole Hall Road in Ellesmere Port.
Each pitch would accommodate two touring caravans and two parking spaces
The site would also include two electrical hook-ups, a standpipe of drinking water and drainage and shared bathrooms, rent will be charged on a daily basis.
Cllr Angela Claydon, CWAC cabinet member for housing, said: “I would encourage residents to visit one of these drop in sessions.
“The Cheshire and Warrington Traveller team manager will be available to answer all questions and explain why this site has been chosen and how the transit site would work.”
Cllr Claydon added: “Some residents have already contacted us about the proposals and we are writing to them to explain the planning process and how they can be involved and invite them to view the plans.
“The reason for proposing a transit site is to help reduce the number of unauthorised encampments on public or private land.
“Having a transit site will allow the police to direct groups to a suitable pitch on a site owned by the council.”
The borough experiences a high level of unauthorised encampments.
There were 70 encampments between 1st April 2017 and 31st March 2018, with the majority being in Ellesmere Port and Chester.
The planning committee meeting to discuss the application will be held in public on Wednesday 24th October at Ellesmere Port Civic Hall and will be broadcast live online.
