VILLAGERS are railing against suggestions that a site between Arkesden and Wicken Bonhunt is ripe for use as a Gypsy camp.
As part of its strategy for housing over the next 15 years, Uttlesford District Council needs to make provision for Traveller families. Two plots – at Ten Acres on the Arkesden Road between the two parishes and at Watch House Green, Felsted – have been suggested as part of the current public consultation process.
Residents fear the former will result in a Dale Farm-style crisis, where Essex Police and Basildon council spent millions evicting Travellers last October.
Uttlesford has one socially-rented Gypsy and Traveller site – owned by Essex County Council – offering 17 pitches which can accommodate 35 caravans, 16 private permanent sites with planning permission providing accommodation for 39 caravans and one site with temporary consent which can accommodate five caravans.
The Essex Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment suggests that in Uttlesford 24 permanent pitches, seven short-stay ones and two additional plots for travelling show people will be required between 2008 and 2021 – but since 2008 planning permission has been granted only for a site in Great Canfield, temporary consent for five caravans in Little Hallingbury and permanent consent for five in High Easter.
In an online questionnaire about the two proposals, which has attracted dozens of objections, UDC says it is looking for sites which will minimise impact on “the natural, built and historic environment”.
The sites must not be located in flood risk areas, must be connected to water, drainage and other utilities, and must have space for play areas, access roads and structural landscaping as well as for the maintenance and storage of the rides and equipment owned by travelling showpeople.
Villagers have made it clear Ten Acres does not fit the bill. Alastair Mein told the council: “This is a large site where it would be easy for the number of allowed pitches to be exceeded, potentially resulting in another Basildon-type problem.”
Keith Flowers said: “Uttlesford’s description of the area is one of outstanding natural beauty. The site would have a significant visual impact on the area as it would be very visible from the Arkesden Road.”
Vicki Newey warned: “The number of households in the villages is small and the arrival of a significant group of culturally different individuals representing such a large proportion of the population would undoubtedly lead to difficulties. There are very limited local facilities, such as shops and play areas, and the school at Clavering, which is already over-subscribed, would be unable to cope with a sudden increase in demand for places.”
When asked where sites should be located, householders made it clear there were no acceptable alternatives.
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