A DECISION to build a travellers site in Coseley is set to see Dudley councillors clash.

It comes after Labour members ‘called in’ the controversial scheme.

The demand to scrutinise the proposal comes after campaigners and residents accused the council’s Conservative ruling group of going back on a promise not to build the caravan park on land off Budden Road.

Councillor Alan Finch, vice chair of Place Scrutiny Committee, has said he and fellow committee members wanted to review the decision.

He said: ‘’Labour members are calling in this decision because Budden Road has already been considered, there was cross party agreement that it is unsuitable and other sites would be considered. 

“The Council leadership has made a U-turn without giving a satisfactory explanation and we intend to get to the bottom of this by exploring in detail what has changed’’. 

Residents reacted angrily when council leader, Patrick Harley,  announced earlier this month that the transit site would be built on the land, reversing an assurance given in May last year.

Explaining the decision, he said:  “We really have exhausted every alternative in a bid to find the right site, and that is Budden Road.

“What is important now is that we monitor the site closely throughout the two years and listen to the views of local people at that time, before reviewing the future of the site at the end of its tenure.

“The issue has been ongoing for years and residents have told us they are fed up with the disruption and damage that unauthorised encampments bring.”

The scheme was granted planning permission in 2018 but was postponed when the Labour Party took control of the council later in the year.

The council has said the transit site will give it and police legal powers to remove travellers within the space of two hours.

And it has warned similar plans by other authorities could see more unauthorised encampments in Dudley as travellers are forced to move on. 

Ward councillor Sue Ridney,  has opposed the plan since it was first proposed. ‘’This site is totally unsuitable and on behalf of my constituents, I say it is a disgrace that having received assurances that Budden Road would not be the chosen site for a transit facility, they are now being told that it will be,” she said. 

Cllr Finch said he wants the proposal to be discussed at the earliest opportunity.