THE long running difficulties surrounding the Tall Trees travellers' site in Almondsbury could be solved at a stroke if planners approve a scheme to build new homes on the land.

South Gloucestershire Council's development control watchdogs are set to decide an outline application for five "high quality" houses on the site, which has been a running sore in the side of the local community for more than a decade.

As well as attracting attention from police, the site has also caused anger and frustration among residents and councillors owing to a catalogue of unauthorised development and dumping.

However, the planning application for the green belt site has presented parish leaders in Almondsbury with a difficult dilemma.

Faced with a choice between seeing the back of the troublesome travellers' site or betraying important planning principles, they have opted to oppose the scheme and have submitted formal objections on green belt grounds.

Parish council clerk Louise Langdon said: "This has put the council in a very difficult position. The development would solve the Tall Trees problem but would also fly in the face of council policy regarding development in the green belt."

It could also create undesirable precedents, she said. However some councillors feel that in the case of Tall Trees, an exception should be made.

Parish council chairman Cllr Sheila Cook, who also represents Almondsbury on South Gloucestershire Council, said: "On balance I would rather see housing there.

"This site has caused problems locally for many years because of unauthorised development, traffic and rubbish dumped on the site in connection with the business that is run from there.

"Added to that there has also been the police raids because of the alleged criminal activity.

"It's a personal view but I believe that in this case an exception should be made to the normal planning controls."

A decision on the application is due to be made soon.