HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman today vowed to fight plans to set up a gypsy site in the town.

He is fiercely opposed to plans submitted to Kirklees Council for sites in either Springwood or off Leeds Road at Deighton.

He said a site should be offered, but he said the two planned sites were completely unsuitable.

"I will fight this every inch of the way," said Mr Sheerman.

The National Gypsy Council submitted the plans last autumn.

It wants a site on land off Bow Street, Springwood, or on part of the site of the old Huddersfield Community Heritage Farm off Old Fieldhouse Lane.

People living near both sites have sent objections to Kirklees Council planners.

A decision is not expected for some time.

But Mr Sheerman believes neither site should be approved.

He added: "In principle, I think we should be looking to provide a site for gypsies in the area.

"But I am opposed to these two sites. Both are right in the heart of Huddersfield and would create tremendous problems.

"The people living near the Leeds Road site already have to contend with terrible traffic problems and a lot of industry.

"The one at Springwood is right in the middle of a big housing area.

"I have looked at gypsy sites in other parts of the country, including the one at Wakefield.

"They tend to be in semi-rural areas, on the fringes of our towns and cities.

"That is what we should be looking at and I envisage real problems if Kirklees Council planning officers go through with either of these applications."