![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Travellers1.jpg\")
From left, Prevez Chowdhary, Marie and Julia Chester outside the proposed caravan site in Dunham Massey<\/p>\n‘We’ve nothing against the Traveller community’, says one residentFrom left, Prevez Chowdhary, Marie and Julia Chester outside the proposed caravan site in Dunham Massey<\/p>\n
Residents of the picturesque backwater village have launched a campaign against the siting of two pitches for caravans for the Traveller and Gypsy community on their doorstep.<\/p>\n
The Dunham Massey residents insist their objections are not founded on prejudice against such communities, but say the half-acre plot off Seamon Road is \u2018fundamentally inappropriate\u2019 for the uses proposed in Trafford<\/a>\u2019s draft Local Plan.<\/p>\n They cite the National Trust-owned land as being too close to the Bridgewater Canal, thus endangering the lives of any children from the site, and congestion from a nearby industrial park, which they say already causes \u2018dangerous congestion\u2019 on the road.<\/p>\n To see planning applications; traffic and road diversions and layout changes; and more, visit the Public Notices Portal <\/strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In a further twist, a National Trust spokesperson said they would be submitting an objection to the proposal.<\/p>\n Semi-retired Prevez Chowdhary, 67, says he has sunk his life-savings into converting the former Bay Malton pub, right oppose the site, into an eight-bedroom home for his extended family.<\/p>\n He is one of 130 residents who turned out to Dunham Massey Village Hall on Friday evening to voice strong objections to the plan.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are very upset that Trafford council have not properly engaged with the residents over this plan,\u201d he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a fundamentally inappropriate location for such caravans. There is also major congestion here because of its close location to an industrial park and there\u2019s no way the safety of children playing can be guaranteed because the site is right next to the canal.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie, 82, is another worried resident. Her home backs directly onto the canal. She said: \u201cWe\u2019ve nothing against the Traveller community. They are good people. But I would be worried about the safety of their children playing near the canal, which is at least 6ft deep, with unknown debris lurking under the water.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso the traffic here is awful at the best of times. There must be other more appropriate places for this elsewhere in Trafford.\u201d<\/p>\n Neighbour Julia Chester, 69, agreed, also mentioning concern over the non-designated heritage asset Rose Cottage, which is part of the site.<\/p>\n Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group <\/strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Rose Cottage has been unoccupied for at least the last 10 years, and residents believe it is worthy of restoration.<\/p>\n \u201cIt dates back to 1839. This part of Dunham Massey is full of local history and should be preserved as a heritage site,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know several people who have cancelled their National Trust subscriptions because of this proposal.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Trafford\u2019s Conservative opposition group has thrown its weight behind the residents\u2019 campaign.<\/p>\n Commenting following the public meeting on Friday, Coun Shengke Zhi said on Facebook: \u201cIt was clear that the overwhelming majority of residents strongly oppose this proposal. Over the past few weeks, I have written to the council\u2019s chief executive [Sara Todd] and local planning officers requesting a dedicated consultation session in [nearby] Oldfield Brow.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, the council rejected this request and also declined to attend the community meeting, despite our invitation.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the Local Plan consultation closes on November 3 and urged residents to have their say before the deadline.<\/p>\n However, the Green Party and the controlling Labour<\/a> group are in favour of the caravans’ placement at the site.<\/p>\n Coun Lisa Hancock, who represents the Bowdon ward, told the LDRS: \u201cThe site is right opposite the Transpennine Trail, and should be protected as a heritage site. I do not agree with the use of the land on National Trust property as a Traveller site and I know the residents agree that it would be inappropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n Council leader Coun Tom Ross said: \u201cThe council has a clear legal duty to plan for the needs of all communities \u2014 including Gypsy and Traveller families \u2014 and to do so in a fair and responsible way.<\/p>\n \u201cWe understand the concerns residents have raised following the illegal encampments this summer. That’s why these modest proposals \u2014 for just two caravan pitches \u2014 are part of a proactive approach to planning for our borough’s future.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Travellers2.jpg\")
The site proposed for the siting of two caravan pitches with Rose Cottage in the background<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Travellers6.jpg\")
The half-acre site where Trafford council is proposing to accommodate two permanent caravan pitches for the Traveller and Gypsy community<\/p>\n