Residents happy with Traveller prevention measures - Dorset

From the Daily Echo

Immediate work to try and prevent Travellers again settling on a precious Poole open space has been welcomed by residents.

Neighbours of the Whitecliff recreation ground were incensed when Travellers moved onto the harbourside site just a day after residents proudly celebrated it becoming a Queen Elizabeth II Field in Trust to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

The small group of Romany Gypsies moved on after staying on the land for around five days.

They changed their first pitch after concerns were raised that they were too close to the emergency helicopter landing pad.

After they left, Borough of Poole moved swiftly to put lockable bollards on the emergency gates and increase numbers of blocks of Purbeck stone to prevent others viewing it as a desirable camp site.

Resident Babs Plumbridge said: “After the shock of the Travellers arriving, it is great to see Whitecliff, Queen Elizabeth II Fields in Trust has been given some protection.”

Peter Steer of Parkstone Bay Assoc-iation was pleased with the “prompt attention” but called for the “unsecured” car park to be protected by increasing the height of the banking.

Parkstone ward member, Cllr Ann Stribley said there should be a reassessment in a few weeks time to see if any further measures should be put in place.

Shaun Robson, head of environmental and consumer protection services said: “Following the recent departure of a group of Travellers at Whitecliff, we have carried out works to make unauthorised access to the site harder.

“This includes putting in a number of lockable bollards on the emergency gates and increasing the amount of Purbeck stone in the area. We will continue to review areas of concern raised and consider additional measures but any further action must be necessary, proportionate, and provide.