AN angry resident has claimed plans for a council-run gypsy camp has already been decided - despite the objections of nearby residents.
The application seeks to create 11 pitches as an emergency stopping place for gypsies and travellers on land off Grange Lane, Stairfoot.
The council says it will help solve the problem of unauthorised camps such as the one at Locke Park.
Nearby resident Darren Bullock, 34, claims the council has not consulted with locals about their plans and concerned residents' calls to the council have been "ignored".
He said: "House prices will drop, insurances will go up and nobody wants this in their back yard. The area has a waste disposal site nearby and no-one should be living there.
"Apparently a site meeting is happening on Tuesday morning before it goes before the council in the afternoon.
"The whole thing has been handled wrong - we have been fobbed off by the travel liaison officer and haven't been able to have our say."
A statement from the council reads: "Barnsley does not have enough official, permanent site provision for gypsies and travellers.
"The introduction of an emergency stopping place will help to improve the council’s management of unauthorised encampments and particularly so in regard to joint work with the police in this area of activity."
The maximum length of stay will be limited to 14 days and the site would be managed by the council's gypsy and traveller liaison officer.
