A PROPOSED temporary traveller site could act as an incentive to prevent unauthorised encampments on public land, the council claims.

But a nearby resident has urged the council to make the decision based on whether "it's the right thing to do", not simply to discourage travellers from setting up an unauthorised encampment.

Sedgemoor District Council is applying to its own planning department for change of use permission of highway land at Huntworth Business Park so as to create the facility.

The site has previously been used as a temporary traveller site at the height of the Covid pandemic between July 2020 and November 2021 to enable travellers to "maintain a safe environment in which to live".

A statement on behalf of the council in the planning application submission says: "The application for change of use will allow a site to continue to be used for travellers who would otherwise pull up on public land owned by Sedgemoor District Council or Somerset County Council and create an unauthorised encampment."

If permission is granted, the 594 square metre site would be divided into six pitches with space for a travelling van and car or caravan

There would be waste disposal and toilet facilities on site, while bottled water would be supplied on a weekly basis.

Investigations will be undertaken to see if a stand pipe could be installed.

A mother of three who lives in nearby North Petherton said she is not convinced by the council's reasons for choosing the site location.

"I'm not going to get into the rights and wrongs of whether or not our taxes should be spent on people who choose to live in a different way to my family," said the woman, who has asked not to be named.

"That's their prerogative to live how they wish within certain rules.

"But saying that creating the site at Huntworth Business Park would stop travellers otherwise pitching up on public land owned by the council - well, that sounds like a fear factor.

"The council should make the decision because they think it's the right thing to do, not simply to prevent someone else from doing the wrong thing."