PLANS to extend a Bloxham traveller site has raised concerns about pressure on schools and the countryside.

Scrap metal firm Smiths of Bloxham has applied to add 16 extra pitches to the 20-pitch site, between its site and the caravan park.

The plans – to also improve drainage and washing facilities – are vital to provide more places, residents and the applicant said.

And a Cherwell District Council planning officer has recommended members approve the plan tonight.

Councils are charged with identifying sites for travellers by the Government.

Life-long traveller site resident and mother-of-two Sueellen Gaskin, 31, welcomed the move.

She said: “It is my home, I was born here.

“This site is all families. They have got married and there is no room for them. If there was a bigger place they would be able to have a family.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: “I think it is big enough as it is.

“They don’t build enough proper council sites so we have got to have somewhere to go. We want to settle down and send our children to school.”

But Milton Parish Meeting said while it supported the principle of using the site, members still had concerns.

One said they “can’t imagine” permission being given for affordable houses on the site, adding: “There seems to be no reason why a special case should be made.”

Others raised concerns about extra traffic, the lack of a bus service and the impact on over-subscribed Bloxham Primary School.

And one said: “Extensification of this use on this site could result in the joining up of Bloxham to the caravan site.”

But Carl Middleditch, agent for Smiths of Bloxham, said: “There is demand for more pitches and this helps to meet that criteria.”

Pressure on the school would not be “significant”, he said.

A new shower and toilet block would be built under the plans, providing hot water, which is not currently available, he said.

It seeks to introduce a policy of home types at the site with 12 semi-permanent “park” homes and 16 static and eight touring caravans.

The application also seeks to get permission for the site’s continued use for travellers as its 1983 permission expired in 2008.

The issue was only noticed by the council in 2010 and the extension is set to be approved. Mr Middleditch said the Smiths hadn’t realised there was a time limit.