MP meets Drax residents to discuss Travellers’ site - Yorkshire

From the Press

RESIDENTS of a village near Selby have held a meeting with their MP to raise concerns about an illegal Travellers site.

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, met a group of villagers from Drax after receiving a letter from a resident expressing his concern over the situation.

The resident called for the meeting, which was chaired by Ian Fenton of the parish council, and the main issue raised was the concern about the way in which a small travellers site had been set up close to the power station, without planning permission being granted.

The Press understands a family has lived on the site for at least 18 months, and a similar site had been founded in neighbouring Long Drax.

Coun Fenton said: “There were about a dozen residents there with their own concerns about the site, and they expressed their views.” Mr Adams also expressed his view that Travellers and residents should abide by the law.

“We’re just calling for some consistency from the planning authority. We don’t have a problem with the people on that site, just the enforcement of the council.”

Mr Adams said: “From what I have heard, it sounds as if the site near Drax has developed along almost identical lines to other sites in Selby District. The trick of moving onto a site like the one near Drax over a bank holiday weekend seems to be a common theme.

“The common perception that Travellers are able to get around planning procedures is easy to understand. I have been involved in a number of these cases now and will be making a strong case within Government that legislation and enforcement must be tightened.”

The meeting also discussed future projects for Drax Power Station, including the announced carbon capture and storage scheme, community policing in the area, and Selby District Council’s Community Engagement Forum.

Mr Adams said: “From my point of view, holding a meeting such as this is an excellent first step in tackling any problem which affects a group of residents. It gives everybody an opportunity to explain the problem from their personal point of view.”