Nestled in the Somerset countryside and protected by soundproof fencing , neighbours say it looks like a holiday park . But this £1.6million caravan site has been built by a council to provide a permanent home for just eight traveller families . The facility , Carrswood View , is on the site of a previous unauthorised and run-down camp near Bath . Bath 's first permanent gipsy camp , which cost £1.6million to build , is due to open next month and contains eight permanent pitches . The site contains eight permanent pitches and five which are designated 'transit ' sites for people who are just passing through the area . Each of the pitches have been built to house a utility unit , which contains washing facilities ( left ) and space for furniture ( right ) Retired engineer Michael Parr , 69 , said : ‘ It ’ s a lot of money to lavish on people who travel around . It ’ s like a holiday camp. ’ Another local said : ‘ Don ’ t think I ’ ll bother paying to go to Center Parcs or Butlins any more ! ’ The site has five ‘ transit ’ pitches for short stays and eight permanent plots with a living room , sanitary facilities , a patio and parking for two caravans and two cars . Because it is in the green belt , the units are clad in wood with grass roofs so they blend in . Soundproof fencing will cut down noise from a nearby road and railway . The build , by Elim Housing , cost £1.62million – with £870,000 of council cash and £750,000 from central government . Allan Perrin , 64 , has lived nearby for 25 years . He said : ‘ It is a vast improvement but the question is could it have been done cheaper ? ’ Carrswood View has been developed on the site of an illegal encampment in Bath which had become run-down and full of rubbish . The illegal site was full of discarded rubbish and gas canisters , and councillors hope the new development will give them more control . Each utility unit has been built in wood and have a roof which will be covered in grass to minimise the impact of the green belt development . Tim Warren , of the opposition Tory group on Bath and North East Somerset Council , said : ‘ It ’ s absolutely beautiful , however , is this the best use of taxpayers ’ money ? I ’ m also not convinced this is the final figure . When we first had meetings around this , costs were estimated at over £2million. ’ Gypsy Council chairman Joseph P Jones said it was a lot to spend – and it would have been cheaper to let the travellers build their own housing . He said : ‘ The majority of new provision comes from the gipsy and traveller community itself , and because it is built by us and owned by us , it costs the council nothing and is generally better looked after. ’ Residents of Carrswood View will pay £105 a week rent and £963.40 a year council tax , with 11 applicants hoping to move in next month . Council leader Paul Crossley said having a dedicated gipsy site made it easier to clear illegal camps . The council is in the process of making £30million of cuts over three years . The utility unit for each pitch contains sinks , electricity points and running water , as well as room for kitchen equipment to be installed . Finishing touches are being made to fences and driveways for each of the pitches , to give the maximum possible facilities for families . Developers have been making the final finishing touches to the site , which is expected to open officially next month .
New site for travellers , containing eight permanent and five 'transit ' pitches , is due to open in Bath next month . Carrswood View is the most expensive travellers ' site to be built in Britain - the next most costly came in at £1.3m . Bath and North Somerset Council must sabe £9m this year and have 5,000 people on waiting lists for social housing . Pitches are fenced off and include a separate permanent building with washing facilities and space to put furniture . It has been developed in the green built on the site of an illegal encampment which had become a run-down mess .