TWO extra caravan pitches will be added to a traveller site near Davenham after it was given high praise by council planners.

The number of pitches will increase from six to eight at Oakland Park, in London Road, following planning permission given by Cheshire West and Chester Council's (CWAC) planning committee.

Cllr Elton Watson spoke on behalf of Davenham and Bostock parish councils at the meeting, on June 30.

"This will result in the overdevelopment of an already overdeveloped site in a sensitive location," he said.

"It represents gross intensification of use of the site well beyond that approved by the inspector against a decision of the time by Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning committee.

"That was for two traveller pitches and the site is now completely different to what was approved at the appeal."

Cllr Helen Weltman, CWAC councillor for Davenham and Moulton, had asked for the application to be discussed by the committee.

She said: "You have seen the site on a nice summer's day with leaves on the trees but during the autumn and winter months the site is more exposed, giving a cluttered appearance and the overdevelopment of the site.

"This site was in open countryside.

"It was given permission for two pitches and previous to that there was a field shelter on there.

"There have been several breaches of planning permission and retrospective applications on the site and that's why I felt it needed to come back to committee."

But planning committee members spoke in favour of the site.

Cllr Brian Jones, from the planning committee, said: "I think it's an absolutely beautiful site and I would be proud to have a caravan on that site and have no hesitation in moving approval."

Cllr Tom Blackmore said: "The site was well presented.

"The extra two pitches they're asking for would fill the thing up, you couldn't get any more on."

Cllr Norman Wright said: "It's a well looked after site, I was amazed at how well it looked, however that's not how the site started.

"It started with a paddock and a horse on site and it's been developed over the years into what it is today.

"When you go past in the winter it's quite visible however I don't think that's a reason we can refuse it."

The committee approved the plans with just one vote against.