Green belt land in South Staffordshire could be made into a new travellers site which would be used for eight caravans, it emerged today.

The owner of the land in New Road, Featherstone, has submitted a planning application to South Staffordshire Council, with a decision expected to be made in November by a committee.

The existing land specifically for travellers, the Oak Tree caravan site, also in New Road, has been open for more than 20 years and its supporters say it has stopped the illegal parking of caravans elsewhere.

Jamie Angus, spokesman for South Staffordshire Council, said: “A planning application has been received for eight mobile homes, on land that is currently vacant but sits in the green belt.

“The land is adjacent to the Oak Tree caravan site, which is already registered as licensed land.”

Councillor Frank Beardsmore, who is on South Staffordshire Council, said: “At the moment, we don’t know if the new site would be used for long-term residential caravans, or for caravans that turn up on the day and want to stay short term.

One stumbling block could be that the application is for land in the green belt, though.”