THE failure of councillors to consider the lack of travellers’ sites in Tendring was “almost perverse”, according to a lawyer representing travellers in a planning appeal.

Tendring Council turned down Tom Doran’s retrospective application for three pitches on land off Gutteridge Hall Lane, Weeley, in October.

Mr Doran’s lawyer, Michael Rudd, said planners should have balanced the impact on the community with the need to provide somewhere for travellers.

Mr Rudd claims his client was forced to appeal after councillors failed to take into account the lack of travellers’ sites in the district when it turned down the application in the first place.

The East of England Regional Assembly told Tendring last year it needs to find 15 new pitches by 2011, but no work had been done when the application was turned down.

Officers recommended the plans should be approved but were overruled by the council’s development committee.

Mr Rudd said failing to consider the lack of sites in the area was almost perverse.

Tendring Council insists it did everything by the book.

Lawyer Dan McDowell said: “I think this council has behaved properly and considered the merits of this case.

“We have never tried to shy away from the difficult aspects of the case – on the contrary, we have embraced them.”

If the council loses the appeal, it could cost council tax payers thousands of pounds as both sides made bids for legal costs.

Residents claim it would lead to increased traffic outside the primary school, although highways bosses had no objections.

Ex-teacher Carol Bannister told a packed appeal hearing that travellers’ children would also increase the pressure on school places.

Planning inspector Susan Heywood will make a ruling by the beginning of August.