SOUTH Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson has given his backing for new planning guidelines over the controversial issue of gypsy and traveller sites.

The MP revealed he was forced to step in recently following proposals to create a gypsy site in Stourton by the A449 at Prestwood.

He wrote to South Staffordshire District Council urging them to consider the new guidelines and said: “The green belt should be protected from these encampments, where they are totally inappropriate.

“It is my hope that what the government is doing will make it a lot more difficult to put forward ridiculous proposals, such as a gypsy and traveller site in Stourton.”

It follows a government ruling cancelling the ‘equality and diversity in planning rules’, introduced by the previous Labour government and described as ‘outdated, excessive in length and sending unhelpful signals about the planning process.

The new paper states that plan making and decision taking should protect green belt from inappropriate development.

It claims traveller sites, either temporary or permanent in the green belt, are inappropriate development and local planning authorities should strictly limit new traveller site development in open countryside.

The paper also confirms that unmet need does not in itself constitute the ‘very special circumstances; necessary to permit in appropriate development on green belt.

Mr Williamson added: “I think the scrapping of this ridiculous previous policy is extremely sensible.

“Prescott dreamt up these stupid rules and I am glad to see they are now being thrown out.”