Romany family 'subjected to racial prejudice' - Wiltshire

From the Salisbury Journal

A ROMANY Gypsy says his family has been subjected to racial prejudice and he is suffering from depression due to a row over them staying on land in Whiteparish.

William Clarke was granted temporary three-year permission in 2009 to live in a caravan at Tricky’s Paddock in Brickworth Road, but is now seeking to have the conditions varied so he, his partner Tammy Beswick and their two children can live there permanently. Wiltshire Council refused Mr Clarke’s application and planning inspector Nicholas Freeman heard the arguments from both sides at a hearing in Salisbury on Tuesday.

The inspector heard a number of letters of objection had to be removed from the council’s website due to racist remarks and Mr Clarke said boards were placed outside his home saying ‘we don’t want Gypsies’. Mr Clarke is on antidepressants from the stress of the situation and his partner and children are currently living with her mother as she didn’t feel happy at the site.

Representing Mr Clarke, Angus Murdoch said if permanent permission was granted local people would come to understand they are a decent family who cause no problems and just want to be part of the community.

He said Mr Clarke had carried out landscaping, as set out in the conditions of the temporary permission, which screened the caravan from view. He also said the caravan is finished in a dark oak colour to minimise its impact.

Wiltshire Council feel the character and appearance of the site is harmed by the caravan being there, especially as the site is in a Special Landscape Area, and permanent permission should not be allowed as the situation has not changed since the previous inspector ruled in 2009 that the harm to the site meant he could not grant permanent permission.

Dr Murdoch said there is nowhere else for Mr Clarke to go as there is a great need for Gypsy sites in south Wiltshire and the council-owned sites are currently full with lengthy waiting lists.

After hearing both sides’ cases, Mr Freeman also went on a site visit and will publish his decision in due course.