Swallownest travellers’ site protest by UKIP members

From left: Cllr Brian Cutts, branch chairman Matt Eyre, Cllr Mick Elliott and Cllr Kath Reeder

They said the six-pitch proposal in Swallownest would bring no benefits to the community.

The plan was rejected by Rotherham Borough Council but an appeal by applicant W Smith is set to be heard in the new year.

UKIP councillor Mick Elliott said: “People just don’t want it. There was a massive reaction when it first came about.

“The planning application on land off the A57 was refused by RMBC planners but the appeal is scheduled to be held on January 18.

“UKIP has been out campaigning against this application because we believe it is unsuitable on our beautiful green belt land.”

More than 480 objections were made against the proposal to change the land use on the 0.23-hectare site next to the A57 Chesterfield Road.

The council decided in March that it would be inappropriate for green belt and the distance from “day-to-day facilities” would mean an over-reliance on travel by car.

A previous proposal for 12 pitches, which attracted more than 800 objections, was thrown out in April 2016.