TRAVELLERS have set up camp at Leftwich Green for the second time this summer.

Caravans were seen driving onto the field around 6pm on Monday, August 20, having previously pitched up during the spring bank holiday in late May.

Conservative ward member for Leftwich, Cllr Gaynor Sinar, says the first priority is to have the field back in use for the weekend before securing it from future encampments, although plans to install football pitch markings have already had to be postponed.

Cllr Sinar said: “I just want that field back in use for the Bank Holiday.

“I have got prices to secure the field and the cheapest option is the most environmentally friendly. The idea is to get grassy mounds put in to stop vehicle access, and plant wildflowers there to keep its natural look.

“We had a meeting of about 50 people and that was the preferred option, as opposed to bollards or fencing.

“I have got some councillor allowance left but CWAC has a duty of care for that land. They own the field.

“After the last encampment we had a meeting with the gypsy liaison team and they actually ridiculed my concern and said ‘they haven’t been before, they likely won’t come again’. Talk about burying your head in the sand.

“The reality is they have found a lovely patch of land that is flat and ideal for driving onto, close to local amenities.

“They were very quick to get the bollards up in Winnington and secure the field, and I am hoping the same for Leftwich.”

Cllr Sinar began costing up plans to block vehicular access to the field in May, and also tabled a motion urging Cheshire West and Chester Council to review its approach to illegal sites at a meeting in July.

She received cross-party backing, with Northwich hit by more than a dozen encampments this summer.

A separate illegal encampment has also been set up at Chinkers Field, behind Memorial Court, on Tuesday.

Further, the council has now agreed to submit a planning application and approve funding for a £1.1 million transit site at the former Foxfields pub in Ellesmere Port.

If approved, gypsies and travellers would be able to stay on the transit site for between 28 days and three months, and CWAC would collect a daily rent.

The site would have 10 pitches, with each able to accommodate two touring caravans and feature two parking spaces, two electrical hook-ups, a standpipe of drinking water and drainage.

There would also be a shared bathroom and laundry facilities on the site, as well as a children’s play area.

A Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesman said on Tuesday morning: "An encampment of seven caravans and associated vehicles has arrived at Leftwich Green.

"The Cheshire and Warrington Traveller team has visited the site today and an initial site visit has been carried out.

"If no actions are required following the welfare checks the team will serve a section 77 notice (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) giving the group 24 hours to vacate the land."

The group at Leftwich was served an eviction notice on Tuesday afternoon, and is due to leave by 5pm on Wednesday.