About 150 residents meant there was standing room only at a meeting over proposals to create a travellers’ site in Chappel.

The meeting was hosted by Wakes Colne and Chappel Parish Councils who wanted to hear villagers’ thoughts on the planning application before they feed back to Colchester Council.

The application made by Christopher O’Driscoll, for three pitches - six caravans - in Vernons Road, has proved so controversial that it has been called in by ward councillor Peter Chillingworth.

That means Colchester Council’s planning committee will have to approve or reject the application instead of planning officers alone.

But there were angry reactions from the public when Mr Chillingworth told the meeting at Wakes Colne Parish Hall that the site was one of 30 allocated for travellers by Colchester Council in a planning document.

The document was last year approved by the council and the site was included after highways bosses withdrew a previous objection to it.

Mr Chillingworth said: “I don’t know how they persuaded highways to withdraw these objections but is now an adopted site within the borough. I am afraid that is one of the main problems objectors are up against.”

The site is jointly owned by Mr O’Driscoll and two other travellers who are seeking permission to live there permanently.

Mark Cole, a resident said he would investigate whether a referendum could be held over the application.

He said: “I understand all it takes is an officer from the parish council to bang a fist on the counter of the town hall and the town hall has a has a duty and is obliged to give one.”

Meanwhile, Matt Thorn, whose farm Greenacres is next to the proposed site, said it could impact on his business to provide static caravans to let for tourists.

“I am at stage where I have got to invest about £25,000 to increase the business - do I want to risk investing the money given the knock-on effect this application could bring on my business?” he said.

Residents were also told the application includes a cesspool for the travellers’ waste.

But Wakes Colne parish councillor Allan Hannington said that was the Environment Agency’s least preferred option for waste disposal and the travellers would have to prove alternatives were unsuitable.

A petition opposing the plans will be started by local residents too.

Sue Chamley, chairman of Chappel Parish Council, and who chaired the meeting, was applauded when she said: “We want Colchester Borough Council to look at this application and stand up for the rural community and residents. Colchester stand up for us, for the people.”

Scores of villagers objected when the travellers submitted plans for six pitches in 2009 which were unanimously refused by Colchester Council.

Several objections to the new plans have already been submitted to the council online.

It is expected to decide on the new plans next month.