BASILDON Council has approved plans for a new traveller site in the borough.


Proposals from the Irish Traveller Movement for a 15-pitch site off Gardiners Way, Basildon, were approved by the development control committee last night.


However, although the plans were to create new homes for the most vulnerable families evicted from Dale Farm in Crays Hill last October, there is no guarantee this will happen.


Councillors approved the plans on the condition the council will have a say in who moves on and occupants will have to apply through a waiting list.


The irish Traveller Movement will now apply to the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency, which owns the site, for a grant to build the site.


The movement will also have to come up with an extra at least £24,000 for Essex County Council so it can provide more school places in the area, otherwise it will never be built.


Committee chairman Tony Hedley came up with the condition to ensure there were enough school families for the families which move on.


Special report in Thursday’s Echo.