Review urged over Gypsy sites - Chester

COUNCIL chiefs have been urged to go back to the drawing board over plans for four Gypsy Traveller sites.

At a meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive, opposition councillors, residents and business owners spoke out against plans to create sites, including on Bumpers Lane in Chester and the Rossmore Industrial Estate in Ellesmere Port.

The plans were put forward after consultants earmarked six sites following a borough-wide survey last year in an attempt to address a planning loophole which requires a provision for up to 55 pitches in the borough.

Proposals were passed by the executive in September and are now set to go through to the planning application stage, led by portfolio holder Cllr Herbert Manley.

The highly emotive issue stirred huge controversy among those close to the sites, with many voicing their concerns about how the authority consulted the public and surrounding businesses about their ideas.

At a meeting of the corporate scrutiny committee last month, Cllr Manley admitted there had been “shortcomings in the consultation process”.

Cllr Justin Madders, leader of the Labour group, said at a meeting at the HQ building in Chester, that the process had shown that the council did not listen to what people had to say.

He said: “Cllr Manley admitted his shortcomings and I would urge you to follow his lead and look at this again.”

Cllr Madders acknowledged the council’s need to fulfil the quota set by the Government. He said, however, that they must “build up the public’s confidence” in the way they consult with them over such issues in the future.

Cllr Reggie Jones, whose ward covers the Sealand Industrial Estate, which the Bumpers Lane Gypsy site has been earmarked for, said the area was “totally unsuitable”.

He said many business owners had threatened to leave the industrial estate and stop reinvestment if council plans were realised.

“There is a real fear among businesses about this and I would urge you to reconsider and take it off the table,” added Cllr Jones.

Charles Shepherd, property director of Chester-based Barlows Limited, who own Chester Commerce Park, situated directly opposite the proposed location on Bumpers Lane, spoke during public question time.

He said the site’s proximity to a flood plain, general amenities and public transport links made the site unsuitable for use. “A comprehensive review looking at both permanent and transit sites in a similar and robust way is essential to promote confidence in the process and ensure the soundness of the decision,” he said.

“This should include sites owned by the private as well as the public sector.”
Cllr Ben Powell, who spoke against the manner in which the council carried forward the proposals without full consultation, also urged chiefs to put the brakes on the plans to create the four remaining sites, after Oakwood Farm, in Saughall, and Buildwas Lane, Neston, were scrapped in November.

He said the council should have consulted with the public about potential sites before a shortlist was drafted by consultants Ekosgen.

But portfolio holder Cllr Herbert Manley was backed by his fellow executive members when he stated that the plans were “necessary” and said a full consultation would come within the official planning process.

He said authorised sites would help to “erode problems” with illegal encampments and help give greater powers to both the authority and police.
The executive moved a recommendation to put forward planning applications for the four remaining sites.

The corporate scrutiny committee has been invited to review the council's process of consultation and engagement with residents over significant issues and identify best practice to be adopted by the council in the future.