From the Coventry Telegraph
Potential locations for permanent Gypsy sites in Warwick district will be unveiled next week.
The district council says it is required by law to find 31 permanent Traveller pitches over the next 15 years.
It is likely the pitches will be spread across up to six sites.
Warwick district covers areas including Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth, and even Baginton near Coventry.
Potential sites will be discussed at a planning meeting on Tuesday, June 4, before the issue goes out to public consultation.
The district is the only authority in Warwickshire without any official Traveller sites.
In 2011 Travellers were kicked off an illegal site in Beausale, near Kenilworth.
Coun Les Caborn (Con, Lapworth) said providing official sites would help “ease tensions” between residents and Travellers.
“It is vital that we provide for the housing needs of everyone, including for Gypsies and Travellers,” he said.
“We know this is an emotive issue, but it is something we must address. I believe the site options put forward provide a good range of possibilities.
“Like all councillors, I am interested to hear what people from across all our communities think of these options so that we can plan to meet the needs of Gypsies and Travellers”.
He added: “I am a firm believer that by providing these sites we can minimise the tensions across all our communities.
“By having identified sites we will be able to deal more effectively and quickly with illegal sites and encampments which is a current community concern.”
Other long-term issues to be discussed at the meeting include where to build more than 6,600 homes and the allocation of 22.5 hectares of land for employment use.
Coun Caborn said: “I believe these proposals set out an approach which will enable the district to continue to grow and thrive, at the same time as protecting and enhancing many of the things that make Warwick District a great place.
* For full details visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk
see also: ITV - Potential Travellers' sites for Warwick to be chosen
Monday, 3 June 2013
Battle to move Gypsies off green belt continues - Warwickshire
From the Leamington Spa Courier
The legal battle to evict Gypsies from green belt land will continue – despite it being forwarded to a list of potential sites for Travellers.
The Romani Gypsies have lived on land at Kites Nest Lane, Beausale, illegally for three years.
A High Court judge has ruled that they must leave the site between Kenilworth and Hatton if their appeal to stay is dismissed.
But the Gypsy family owner put it forward to the list compiled by Warwick District Council after its “call for sites” advertising to land owners in the area.
The Gypsies have lodged an appeal against Warwick District Council’s refusal to let them live there and it is expected to take place over four days from June 11.
If the appeal fails the High Court ruling means the families will have to leave the site within a month and restore it to its former condition within two months. Council development officer David Barber said: “Sites included within the options have come forward from a number sources.
“Kites Nest Lane was one of the sites that has been put forward as a result of this ‘call for sites’.
“In fairness to the landowners, we have taken the decision to include all the sites that were promoted in this way.
“This does not mean the council is supporting these sites and we will continue to make the case at the appeal that we believe the Kites Nest Lane site is not suitable.”
It is one of 20 potential sites put on the council list as part of its Local Plan.
The Government requires it to find 31 pitches for Gypsies and Travellers in the next 15 years and 25 of these must be by 2018.
One potential plot for eight pitches is near the Guide Dogs for the Blind breeding centre at Bishops Tachbrook, which has alarmed the charity because of the “serious risk” of cross infection to its dogs and pups.
Commenting on all the sites, Cllr Les Caborn (Con, Lapworth), lead councillor for the Local Plan said: “We know this is an emotive issue, but it is something we must address.
“By having identified sites we will be able to deal more effectively and quickly with illegal sites and encampments.”
The legal battle to evict Gypsies from green belt land will continue – despite it being forwarded to a list of potential sites for Travellers.
The Romani Gypsies have lived on land at Kites Nest Lane, Beausale, illegally for three years.
A High Court judge has ruled that they must leave the site between Kenilworth and Hatton if their appeal to stay is dismissed.
But the Gypsy family owner put it forward to the list compiled by Warwick District Council after its “call for sites” advertising to land owners in the area.
The Gypsies have lodged an appeal against Warwick District Council’s refusal to let them live there and it is expected to take place over four days from June 11.
If the appeal fails the High Court ruling means the families will have to leave the site within a month and restore it to its former condition within two months. Council development officer David Barber said: “Sites included within the options have come forward from a number sources.
“Kites Nest Lane was one of the sites that has been put forward as a result of this ‘call for sites’.
“In fairness to the landowners, we have taken the decision to include all the sites that were promoted in this way.
“This does not mean the council is supporting these sites and we will continue to make the case at the appeal that we believe the Kites Nest Lane site is not suitable.”
It is one of 20 potential sites put on the council list as part of its Local Plan.
The Government requires it to find 31 pitches for Gypsies and Travellers in the next 15 years and 25 of these must be by 2018.
One potential plot for eight pitches is near the Guide Dogs for the Blind breeding centre at Bishops Tachbrook, which has alarmed the charity because of the “serious risk” of cross infection to its dogs and pups.
Commenting on all the sites, Cllr Les Caborn (Con, Lapworth), lead councillor for the Local Plan said: “We know this is an emotive issue, but it is something we must address.
“By having identified sites we will be able to deal more effectively and quickly with illegal sites and encampments.”
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Travellers set up camp at Jennett's Park roundabout - Berkshire
From Bracknell News
TRAVELLERS have set up camp at the Jennett's Park roundabout in Bracknell.
Around six to seven caravans have moved onto a plot of land next to the Peacock Farm Pub, off the A329.
When the News visited today, a resident living in Osprey Avenue, opposite the site, said: "I've been away this weekend and only arrived back this morning, and that's when I noticed all the caravans.
"It was a bit of a shock, I was surprised to see so many. I'm not sure why they chose here, I suppose because it is so close to the motorway."
Police were this morning taking details at the site in Peacock Lane.
see also: The Bracknell News - Landowners take action against Travellers in Jennett's Park
TRAVELLERS have set up camp at the Jennett's Park roundabout in Bracknell.
Around six to seven caravans have moved onto a plot of land next to the Peacock Farm Pub, off the A329.
When the News visited today, a resident living in Osprey Avenue, opposite the site, said: "I've been away this weekend and only arrived back this morning, and that's when I noticed all the caravans.
"It was a bit of a shock, I was surprised to see so many. I'm not sure why they chose here, I suppose because it is so close to the motorway."
Police were this morning taking details at the site in Peacock Lane.
see also: The Bracknell News - Landowners take action against Travellers in Jennett's Park
Saturday, 1 June 2013
Kiveton: Council says Traveller site is ‘best option’ - Yorkshire
From the Guardian
A Rotherham Council spokesman said the proposed Gypsy and Traveller site on Dog Kennels Lane was considered the ‘best option available’.
This was due to it being self contained, able to provide a good environment for residents with no impact on the openness of the green belt and being in council ownership.
They said development of the site would depend on a private developer putting in a planning application once the Local Plan was approved and in place.
“Even though the authority has no plans to provide a site itself, it is obliged to find sites for various uses across the borough,” the spokesman said, reiterating that if Rotherham did not allocate its own sites, the decisions would be taken out of the authority’s hands and made by central government.
see also: The Guardian - Residents’ fury at Gypsy caravan site
A Rotherham Council spokesman said the proposed Gypsy and Traveller site on Dog Kennels Lane was considered the ‘best option available’.
This was due to it being self contained, able to provide a good environment for residents with no impact on the openness of the green belt and being in council ownership.
They said development of the site would depend on a private developer putting in a planning application once the Local Plan was approved and in place.
“Even though the authority has no plans to provide a site itself, it is obliged to find sites for various uses across the borough,” the spokesman said, reiterating that if Rotherham did not allocate its own sites, the decisions would be taken out of the authority’s hands and made by central government.
see also: The Guardian - Residents’ fury at Gypsy caravan site
Travellers set up camp in Cleethorpes - Lincolnshire
From the Grimsby Telegraph
Travelers have set a camp on the former Lindsey School playing fields near Taylors Avenue, Cleethorpes.
It is thought a gate has been lifted off from its hindges to allow the travellers access to the field however this is yet to be confirmed by the police.
One resident who asked not to be named said: "They have snapped the padlock on the gates and then fastened their own chain and padlock. Residents round here are worried."
Travelers have set a camp on the former Lindsey School playing fields near Taylors Avenue, Cleethorpes.
It is thought a gate has been lifted off from its hindges to allow the travellers access to the field however this is yet to be confirmed by the police.
One resident who asked not to be named said: "They have snapped the padlock on the gates and then fastened their own chain and padlock. Residents round here are worried."
Landowner claims cleaning up Travellers’ mess will cost thousands - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
A LANDOWNER today claimed cleaning up after Travellers would leave him thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Rubbish, rubble and caravans have been abandoned at the site in Drumlithie, near Stonehaven.
Brian Watson said a gate on his land had been locked. But he discovered Travellers on his land in February and the padlocks broken.
The group stayed at the site for around two months before moving on.
Mr Watson, 48, said: “The Travellers made the mess and now I will have to pay thousands to clean it up and scrap the caravans.
A LANDOWNER today claimed cleaning up after Travellers would leave him thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Rubbish, rubble and caravans have been abandoned at the site in Drumlithie, near Stonehaven.
Brian Watson said a gate on his land had been locked. But he discovered Travellers on his land in February and the padlocks broken.
The group stayed at the site for around two months before moving on.
Mr Watson, 48, said: “The Travellers made the mess and now I will have to pay thousands to clean it up and scrap the caravans.
University of York expects Travellers to leave campus tomorrow - Yorkshire
From the Press
THE University of York says it expects Travellers who have turned up on its Heslington East campus to leave by tomorrow.
A spokesman said yesterday that a group of Travellers with approximately 20 caravans appeared on the campus on Thursday, having been removed by City of York Council from a site in Poppleton and then refused entrance to Grimston Bar car park by police.
He said: “All the caravans are currently located in Kimberlow Lane car park.
“The Travellers have advised us that they intend to move out on Sunday and we are issuing formal notice to them that we expect them to abide by that.”
He said the Travellers were free to use the university’s sports facilities like any other members of the public. He said: “We advised heads of department and college provosts on Heslington East of the encampment yesterday.”
THE University of York says it expects Travellers who have turned up on its Heslington East campus to leave by tomorrow.
A spokesman said yesterday that a group of Travellers with approximately 20 caravans appeared on the campus on Thursday, having been removed by City of York Council from a site in Poppleton and then refused entrance to Grimston Bar car park by police.
He said: “All the caravans are currently located in Kimberlow Lane car park.
“The Travellers have advised us that they intend to move out on Sunday and we are issuing formal notice to them that we expect them to abide by that.”
He said the Travellers were free to use the university’s sports facilities like any other members of the public. He said: “We advised heads of department and college provosts on Heslington East of the encampment yesterday.”
Gypsy wedding murderer handed life sentence - London
From the Hackney Gazette
A Traveller who stabbed the bride’s brother to death at a Gypsy wedding in The Glyn Arms pub in Homerton, Hackney, after years of “bad blood” between the two clans was jailed for at least 23 years.
Martin ‘Marty’ Ward, 24, plunged a carving knife into Thomas ‘Tommy’ Lawrence’s torso four times, severing his aorta.
Mr Lawrence, 28, was left lying in the gutter after the attack outside the Glyn Arms, a popular watering hole for Travellers in Mandeville Street, Homerton on October 27 2011.
The father-of-four received emergency surgery but could not be saved, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
The former binman of Abersham Road, Dalston, denied murder, insisting he “lost control” and was acting in self-defence, claiming it was an “obligation” to confront his rival or “repercussions would flow”.
Several witnesses including bar staff said Irish-born Ward, who is one of 11 children,
looked “scary” when he arrived at the traditional giving away ceremony the day following the wedding of Sharon Lawrence to a man also called Martin Ward, unconnected with the case.
Sentencing him to life for murder, Judge William Kennedy said: “You are a young man coming to terms with a culture where spontaneous violence often replaces reasoned argument and having to learn the boundaries of violence anticipated in those circumstances.
“On the other hand…. this was instead a series of deadly blows struck in fury and revenge against an unarmed and unsuspecting opponent.’
The jury failed to reach a verdict during the first trial in November, and a second trial collapsed last month when the prosecutor fell ill.
A third jury convicted Ward of murder by a majority verdict of 10-2.
Ward, who left school illiterate aged 10 was jailed for four years for being part of a gang believed to be responsible for almost half of Britain’s caravan thefts from 2004 to 2007.
A Traveller who stabbed the bride’s brother to death at a Gypsy wedding in The Glyn Arms pub in Homerton, Hackney, after years of “bad blood” between the two clans was jailed for at least 23 years.
Martin ‘Marty’ Ward, 24, plunged a carving knife into Thomas ‘Tommy’ Lawrence’s torso four times, severing his aorta.
Mr Lawrence, 28, was left lying in the gutter after the attack outside the Glyn Arms, a popular watering hole for Travellers in Mandeville Street, Homerton on October 27 2011.
The father-of-four received emergency surgery but could not be saved, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
The former binman of Abersham Road, Dalston, denied murder, insisting he “lost control” and was acting in self-defence, claiming it was an “obligation” to confront his rival or “repercussions would flow”.
Several witnesses including bar staff said Irish-born Ward, who is one of 11 children,
looked “scary” when he arrived at the traditional giving away ceremony the day following the wedding of Sharon Lawrence to a man also called Martin Ward, unconnected with the case.
Sentencing him to life for murder, Judge William Kennedy said: “You are a young man coming to terms with a culture where spontaneous violence often replaces reasoned argument and having to learn the boundaries of violence anticipated in those circumstances.
“On the other hand…. this was instead a series of deadly blows struck in fury and revenge against an unarmed and unsuspecting opponent.’
The jury failed to reach a verdict during the first trial in November, and a second trial collapsed last month when the prosecutor fell ill.
A third jury convicted Ward of murder by a majority verdict of 10-2.
Ward, who left school illiterate aged 10 was jailed for four years for being part of a gang believed to be responsible for almost half of Britain’s caravan thefts from 2004 to 2007.
Weedon Gypsy site given thumbs up by just one vote - Buckinghamshire
From the Bucks Herald
A Gypsy family has been given permission to set up a caravan site in Weedon, despite strong opposition in the village.
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s planning committee gave Harriet Lee permission to install a single caravan at Cooks Hill until November 2015 by six votes to five.
The decision will have to be reviewed at the end of that period.
The committee heard that Ms Lee and her family currently live in the Vale but she has long needed a permanent home and her current one, where she lives with a parent, is overcrowded.
Existing stables will be demolished to make way for the caravan at the site, which is away from the village centre and hidden behind hedges.
Opponents argued there are already enough Gypsy sites in the region to accommodate the family, that it will now be harder to block permanent planning permission and that keeping the family in limbo until 2015 is not fair.
Despite this, a majority of councillors backed the plan.
Councillor Jackie Phipps said: “It won’t be seen from the road or long distance.
“We couldn’t really find anything wrong with the site.”
A Gypsy family has been given permission to set up a caravan site in Weedon, despite strong opposition in the village.
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s planning committee gave Harriet Lee permission to install a single caravan at Cooks Hill until November 2015 by six votes to five.
The decision will have to be reviewed at the end of that period.
The committee heard that Ms Lee and her family currently live in the Vale but she has long needed a permanent home and her current one, where she lives with a parent, is overcrowded.
Existing stables will be demolished to make way for the caravan at the site, which is away from the village centre and hidden behind hedges.
Opponents argued there are already enough Gypsy sites in the region to accommodate the family, that it will now be harder to block permanent planning permission and that keeping the family in limbo until 2015 is not fair.
Despite this, a majority of councillors backed the plan.
Councillor Jackie Phipps said: “It won’t be seen from the road or long distance.
“We couldn’t really find anything wrong with the site.”
Gypsy consultation plans revealed - County Durham
From the Hartlepool Mail
COUNCIL bosses have revealed plans for further consultation meetings about controversial proposals for a potential Gypsy and Traveller site in Hartlepool.
Hartlepool Borough Council initially identified 13 shortlisted sites which are currently subject to consultation but following a recent meeting of the new finance and policy committee, a further three potential sites were put forward for consideration.
Those are Briarfields, off Elwick Road, land at Clarence Road - north of the Victoria Park football ground - and land at Huckelhoven Way/Reed Street.
Consultation events, in the vicinity of the extra sites, will be held at:
l Place in the Park, Ward Jackson Park, on Monday, June 10 between 4pm and 7pm.
l Burbank Community Centre on Tuesday, June 11 between 4pm and 7pm.
l Mill House Leisure Centre on Thursday, June 13 between 3pm and 6pm.
Regeneration chiefs say the consultation period for the additional proposed sites will run until Friday, July 26.
Meanwhile, remaining consultation events relating to the initial 13 shortlisted sites will be held at Throston Primary School, in Flint Walk, on Tuesday, June 4 between 4pm to 7pm and Hartlepool Rovers Rugby Club, in West View Road on Thursday, June 6 from 4pm to 7pm.
The 13 sites are: land at West View Road, Throston Grange Lane, two areas in Burbank Street, Catcote Road/Macaulay Road, Wiltshire Way, Old Cemetery Road, Lennox Walk/Owton Manor Lane, Masefield Road/Gulliver Road, Hart smallholdings east and west, near Hart village, and Summerhill, off Catcote Road
Hartlepool Borough Council launched the consultation after a public inspection into Hartlepool’s Local Plan was halted by Government inspector Kevin Ward who asked for further work to find an appropriate site.
Senior officers have again urged people to have a say.
Damien Wilson, assistant director of regeneration, said: “It’s very important that as many people as possible give us their views on the shortlisted sites.
“It must be emphasised that only one site or a combination of two small sites will be needed to meet the Government’s requirement for between six and ten Traveller pitches and because a site is on the shortlist it does not mean that it will definitely be developed.
“All the comments received will be considered and reported to the council’s finance and policy committee in the summer before being presented to the Government planning inspector who will make a final decision on which site should be included in the Local Plan.”
Consultation documents can also be viewed on the council’s website, www.hartlepool.gov.uk or at the Bryan Hanson House offices in Lynn Street and at Civic Centre in Victoria Road during the normal office hours of 8.30am-5pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8.30am-4.30pm Fridays and at all Hartlepool’s libraries.
For more information, call the council on (01429) 523532.
see also: The BBC - Hartlepool earmarks three more Traveller sites
COUNCIL bosses have revealed plans for further consultation meetings about controversial proposals for a potential Gypsy and Traveller site in Hartlepool.
Hartlepool Borough Council initially identified 13 shortlisted sites which are currently subject to consultation but following a recent meeting of the new finance and policy committee, a further three potential sites were put forward for consideration.
Those are Briarfields, off Elwick Road, land at Clarence Road - north of the Victoria Park football ground - and land at Huckelhoven Way/Reed Street.
Consultation events, in the vicinity of the extra sites, will be held at:
l Place in the Park, Ward Jackson Park, on Monday, June 10 between 4pm and 7pm.
l Burbank Community Centre on Tuesday, June 11 between 4pm and 7pm.
l Mill House Leisure Centre on Thursday, June 13 between 3pm and 6pm.
Regeneration chiefs say the consultation period for the additional proposed sites will run until Friday, July 26.
Meanwhile, remaining consultation events relating to the initial 13 shortlisted sites will be held at Throston Primary School, in Flint Walk, on Tuesday, June 4 between 4pm to 7pm and Hartlepool Rovers Rugby Club, in West View Road on Thursday, June 6 from 4pm to 7pm.
The 13 sites are: land at West View Road, Throston Grange Lane, two areas in Burbank Street, Catcote Road/Macaulay Road, Wiltshire Way, Old Cemetery Road, Lennox Walk/Owton Manor Lane, Masefield Road/Gulliver Road, Hart smallholdings east and west, near Hart village, and Summerhill, off Catcote Road
Hartlepool Borough Council launched the consultation after a public inspection into Hartlepool’s Local Plan was halted by Government inspector Kevin Ward who asked for further work to find an appropriate site.
Senior officers have again urged people to have a say.
Damien Wilson, assistant director of regeneration, said: “It’s very important that as many people as possible give us their views on the shortlisted sites.
“It must be emphasised that only one site or a combination of two small sites will be needed to meet the Government’s requirement for between six and ten Traveller pitches and because a site is on the shortlist it does not mean that it will definitely be developed.
“All the comments received will be considered and reported to the council’s finance and policy committee in the summer before being presented to the Government planning inspector who will make a final decision on which site should be included in the Local Plan.”
Consultation documents can also be viewed on the council’s website, www.hartlepool.gov.uk or at the Bryan Hanson House offices in Lynn Street and at Civic Centre in Victoria Road during the normal office hours of 8.30am-5pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8.30am-4.30pm Fridays and at all Hartlepool’s libraries.
For more information, call the council on (01429) 523532.
see also: The BBC - Hartlepool earmarks three more Traveller sites
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