PLANS to create a transit site for travellers in Bearwood are being considered by BCP Council.

The proposals have been supported by Dorset Police which said it would resolve “persistent frustrations” about being unable to move on illegal encampments.

But they have attracted opposition from people living nearby to the site who said it would negatively affect the value of their homes and “ruin” the community.

A planning application was submitted at the end of last month for the creation of the transit site on land next to Waggy Tails Rescue, off Magna Road.

The scheme includes the construction of a permanent toilet and shower block and ten pitches for use by travellers and gypsies.

It was submitted by a Mr Diment who had previous proposals to build homes and offices refused by the former Poole council.

The now-abolished council also rejected plans for a transit site in Poole in 2014, despite it being recommended for approval, and also U-turned on a planned facility in Creekmoor.

A statement submitted by Mr Diment’s agent, Pure Town Planning, said the provision of a dedicated camp area would provide economic, social and environmental benefits.

“Unauthorised encampments not only heighten concerns over the lack of basic facilities provided for gypsies and travellers but also leads to the potential of fly-tipping, hazardous waste and disturbance to local residents and businesses,” the statement says.

“The benefit of providing a transit site in the BCP Council area is that, in the event an unauthorised encampment is established, once the council issue an eviction notice, the gypsy/travellers will have a site, which provides basic amenities and a safe environment for children.”

It adds that the existence of the facility may also deter the setting up of unauthorised encampments in the first place.

The application has been supported by Dorset Police. Its crime prevention advisor, John Green, said the transit site would increase its powers to deal with illegal encampments.

“Police commanders are persistently frustrated by not having an available transit site they can move an illegal encampment to under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994,” he said.

“Having a transit site which is available and allows only short stays would prevent unlawful encampments being set up. “

BCP Council has no such facility making evictions more complex. The nearest is managed by Dorset Council in Piddlehinton.

However, dozens of people have already objected to the latest proposals, saying the site would facilitate anti-social behaviour which would “ruin” the area and also lower the values of their homes.

“The proposal is for a non-permanent area, therefore they will likely have no respect for the land or local community, make a mess and move on,” Emily Parrish, who lives nearby, said. “This will be a constant cycle as the people using the land will be of a high turnover.”

Jane Jupe said the plan was “absolute madness” and said the council should consider “more suitable” alternatives.

“How would you feel buying your first home to find this out,” she said. “Young professionals, doctors, one minute you're clapping them, the next devaluing their homes by 75 per cent.”

David Hucker criticised the lack of warning about development planned in the area around the new Canford Paddocks estate and said it was “really unfair” that the transit site had been proposed.

The application will be considered by council planning officers in the coming weeks.