Aberdeenshire Councillors have given their backing to proposals for a single policy for dealing with the controversial issue of unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller encampments across the North east.
The issue came before a meeting at Alford of the Marr Area Committee, with members being asked to comment on a draft policy for tackling the problem, that would be consistent throughout the region’s three local authorities – Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Environental Specialist Officer David Cooper told the meeting that there would be Scottish Goverrnment cash available to develop traveller sites but he warned that he doubted that “we will ever have enough pitches” to meet the demand.
He said that the aim was to have proposals for joint action with the Government by the end of February and a meeting in April of all those involved to discuss the issues.
A report before the meeting said that the draft policy proposals have come from the Inter Agency Gypsy/Travellers Group, which involves the three local authorities, as well as Grampian Police, NHS Grampian and Grampian Racial Equality Council. The aim is to hammer out an agreed policy for dealing with the issue that is consistent across the North east and it is hoped that this can be achieved during the current year.
The report said that the main change to the existing policy is the “suggested removal of the maximum number of caravans and length of stay on Council-owned or controlled land.”
Encampments would also have to comply with a Code of Conduct and occupancy would not be tolerated if the encampment and/or behaviour was not acceptable.
The report said that some members of Aberdeenshire’s Gypsy/Travellers Working Group have questioned the Grampian Police policy on the issue “and are of the opinion that the police should be more involved in taking action against gypsy/travellers who establish unauthorised encampments, particularly those on private land.”
It was claimed that a key issue of the guidance given to police from the Association of Chief Police Officers was a presumption against prosecution for trespass and that “this presumption is seen by some as being detrimental to the effectiveness of the Council’s policy on managing encampments.”
However, the report conceded that Aberdeenshire Council lacked adequate accommodation for Travellers, with only one Council-owned site – Greenbanks at Banff, which has 20 pitches.
However, 4 sites have now been identified within the Council’s proposed Local Development Plan and that is out to public consultation.
Councillor Karen Clark, from the Banchory area, told the meeting that there was a need for holding sites for Travellers as well as semi-permanent sites, because even when Travellers were moved on from a site there was nowhere for them to go.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Three more Stourport Traveller sites to be consulted upon - Kidderminster
EIGHT potential Wyre Forest Traveller sites will be dropped, two will make the shortlist and the public will have its say on another three, if cabinet agrees tonight.
The recommendations were made by Wyre Forest District Council’s Overview and Scrunity Committee last night and are expected to be rubber stamped by cabinet this evening.
As sites at Nunn’s Corner and The Gables Yard in Stourport were put forward for inclusion in the site allocations and policies development plan document and another three in Sandy Lane were suggested for consultation, councillors called for measures to make the town exempt from taking on more Travellers in the future.
Conservative councillor John Holden said he hoped the sites were approved as Travellers were already “quite happy” living there but added: “Stourport has done its bit for the gypsy community. We have accommodated them, we have worked alongside them and I live alongside them in my particular house.”
He suggested that the planning policy for the future should “include wording that Stourport has done its bit and the rest of Worcestershire should take heed and do their bit.”
Cabinet will tonight consider draft policy wording for a criteria-based approach to providing future Traveller sites.
The committee recommended sites at Stourport Road in Bewdley, the former Sion Hill school in Kidderminster, the former Lea Castle Hospital in Cookley and Manor Farm in Stourport should be disregarded.
It also agreed sites at Hoobrook Trading Estate in Kidderminster, Wilden Lane in Stourport, the former Yieldingtree packing site near Churchill and Clows Top garage site should be taken no further as officers had not confirmed their availability.
Concerns were raised that Clows Top garage had been on and off the shortlist and could find itself back in consultation a few years down the line.
Leader of Wyre Forest District Council John Campion said he had “utmost sympathy” for residents of Clows Top and did not support the site being used for Travellers. “It would be a difficult site to develop for whatever use and this I believe would be nigh on impossible,” he said.
He agreed Stourport residents existed peacefully alongside Travellers but said it was important to make sure “we don’t take it too far.” He said scruntiny’s recommendations were sensible and would be welcomed by cabinet.
It was suggested that the public have their say on three sites at Sandy Lane, Stourport. Liberal councillor Fran Oborski said the owners of 1A Broach Road said they would be able to accomodate one of two more pitches on their already existing site, following minor changes.
She said the owners of 28-29 Sandy Lane had asked for traveller pitches to be considered for their land and residents should also be consulted on land opposite the Gatehouse. The committee agreed and suggested the next round of consultation should be in Febraury and March.
Cabinet will make their final decisions tonight at 6pm at Stourport Civic Hall.
The recommendations were made by Wyre Forest District Council’s Overview and Scrunity Committee last night and are expected to be rubber stamped by cabinet this evening.
As sites at Nunn’s Corner and The Gables Yard in Stourport were put forward for inclusion in the site allocations and policies development plan document and another three in Sandy Lane were suggested for consultation, councillors called for measures to make the town exempt from taking on more Travellers in the future.
Conservative councillor John Holden said he hoped the sites were approved as Travellers were already “quite happy” living there but added: “Stourport has done its bit for the gypsy community. We have accommodated them, we have worked alongside them and I live alongside them in my particular house.”
He suggested that the planning policy for the future should “include wording that Stourport has done its bit and the rest of Worcestershire should take heed and do their bit.”
Cabinet will tonight consider draft policy wording for a criteria-based approach to providing future Traveller sites.
The committee recommended sites at Stourport Road in Bewdley, the former Sion Hill school in Kidderminster, the former Lea Castle Hospital in Cookley and Manor Farm in Stourport should be disregarded.
It also agreed sites at Hoobrook Trading Estate in Kidderminster, Wilden Lane in Stourport, the former Yieldingtree packing site near Churchill and Clows Top garage site should be taken no further as officers had not confirmed their availability.
Concerns were raised that Clows Top garage had been on and off the shortlist and could find itself back in consultation a few years down the line.
Leader of Wyre Forest District Council John Campion said he had “utmost sympathy” for residents of Clows Top and did not support the site being used for Travellers. “It would be a difficult site to develop for whatever use and this I believe would be nigh on impossible,” he said.
He agreed Stourport residents existed peacefully alongside Travellers but said it was important to make sure “we don’t take it too far.” He said scruntiny’s recommendations were sensible and would be welcomed by cabinet.
It was suggested that the public have their say on three sites at Sandy Lane, Stourport. Liberal councillor Fran Oborski said the owners of 1A Broach Road said they would be able to accomodate one of two more pitches on their already existing site, following minor changes.
She said the owners of 28-29 Sandy Lane had asked for traveller pitches to be considered for their land and residents should also be consulted on land opposite the Gatehouse. The committee agreed and suggested the next round of consultation should be in Febraury and March.
Cabinet will make their final decisions tonight at 6pm at Stourport Civic Hall.
Rental hike for homeless accommodation and Traveller site - Rochdale
The rental price for homelessness service accommodation units in Rochdale and the pitches and chalet accommodation at the Roch Vale Caravan Park is to increase by 8.10 per cent.
Councillors agreed the rise at a cabinet meeting held on Monday (30 January).
The report presented to Cabinet states: “The rental charges for pitches and chalet accommodation at the Roch Vale Caravan Park and each of the Homelessness Units - Leopold Court, Great Howarth and the dispersed flats - are recommended to be increased by 8.10 per cent in line with the proposed average rent increase for Council properties.”
The weekly rental charges will be increased as follows:
Roch Vale Pitches – from £79.72 to £86.18
Roch Vale Chalets – from £47.83 to £57.10
Leopold Court – from £224.32 to £242.49
Great Howarth – from £230.51 to £249.19
Dispersed flats – from £178.68 to £193.15
Dispersed flats with card meters – from £178.68 to £193.15
The report presented to Councillors adds: “In order to ensure that sufficient resources are available for homeless accommodation charges are reviewed annually.”
Councillors agreed the rise at a cabinet meeting held on Monday (30 January).
The report presented to Cabinet states: “The rental charges for pitches and chalet accommodation at the Roch Vale Caravan Park and each of the Homelessness Units - Leopold Court, Great Howarth and the dispersed flats - are recommended to be increased by 8.10 per cent in line with the proposed average rent increase for Council properties.”
The weekly rental charges will be increased as follows:
Roch Vale Pitches – from £79.72 to £86.18
Roch Vale Chalets – from £47.83 to £57.10
Leopold Court – from £224.32 to £242.49
Great Howarth – from £230.51 to £249.19
Dispersed flats – from £178.68 to £193.15
Dispersed flats with card meters – from £178.68 to £193.15
The report presented to Councillors adds: “In order to ensure that sufficient resources are available for homeless accommodation charges are reviewed annually.”
Plans submitted for Gypsy pitch in Iver - South Bucks
A GYPSY pitch could be built in Iver if a planning application is given the go-ahead by South Bucks District Council.
A plan has been submitted to provide a family-sized pitch to provide room for a mobile home and caravan in Little Sutton Lane, Iver.
The application also includes the building of a utility room and provision of sewage works for the site.
The plan, which has been submitted by Billy Smith, is set to be discussed at a future meeting of South Bucks District Council.
In Mr Smiths application, it is said that every effort will be made to ensure that the site will fit in with the rest of the surrounding area.
The area surrounding the proposed site has some housing and noise surveys have been carried out to make sure that the site will not disturb people living nearby.
It is also located near to the M4 motorway and it is thought that the noise created by the building of the site and subsequently having people living there will not be louder than that created by traffic on the motorway.
Brian Cunningham, 68, who lives in Grasholm Way, near to the development, said: It sounds like it will be quite a small site, so hopefully it wont cause any problems.
I'm sure that people will be worried though.
Well just have to see how it turns out.
Mary Trent, who works at The Bull in Iver High Street, said: I hadn't heard about this, but there will definitely be some concerned people.
With a bit of luck, it will be very small scale and not one of the larger sites.
The plans are set to be discussed at a future meeting of South Bucks District Councils planning committee.
A plan has been submitted to provide a family-sized pitch to provide room for a mobile home and caravan in Little Sutton Lane, Iver.
The application also includes the building of a utility room and provision of sewage works for the site.
The plan, which has been submitted by Billy Smith, is set to be discussed at a future meeting of South Bucks District Council.
In Mr Smiths application, it is said that every effort will be made to ensure that the site will fit in with the rest of the surrounding area.
The area surrounding the proposed site has some housing and noise surveys have been carried out to make sure that the site will not disturb people living nearby.
It is also located near to the M4 motorway and it is thought that the noise created by the building of the site and subsequently having people living there will not be louder than that created by traffic on the motorway.
Brian Cunningham, 68, who lives in Grasholm Way, near to the development, said: It sounds like it will be quite a small site, so hopefully it wont cause any problems.
I'm sure that people will be worried though.
Well just have to see how it turns out.
Mary Trent, who works at The Bull in Iver High Street, said: I hadn't heard about this, but there will definitely be some concerned people.
With a bit of luck, it will be very small scale and not one of the larger sites.
The plans are set to be discussed at a future meeting of South Bucks District Councils planning committee.
Frustration at 'slow' Gypsy site search - Bedfordshire
Residents have spoken of a ‘growing sense of frustration’ at the lack of provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
More than 70 people attended a meeting last Saturday chaired by MP for North East Bedfordshire Alistair Burt including members of 26 local rural parish councils and a number of borough councillors.
While the recent U-turn on Meadow Lane is welcomed with the assurances by the Mayor that it will be considered for planning on March 26, concern is that this may not succeed and that the borough council should also be progressing alternative sites now.
And the North Bedfordshire Residents Associaiton says it’s launching a ‘vigorous campaign’ to ensure that its voice is heard.
Aspokesman for the group said:“There is a growing sense of frustration amongst the community of North Bedfordshire at the lack of adequate provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Borough, resulting in an increased number of illegal encampments and temporary permissions being given for unsuitable sites.
“We welcome the progress that is being made on the Meadow Lane site; however we are very concerned that the Borough's identification of alternative sites is progressing too slowly."
MP Alistair Burt said he’d be meeting Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles MP to raise points from the meeting. He added:“I was very pleased to take part in today's meeting. North Bedfordshire seems to have highlighted the very reasons for the need to re-balance the law, with a number of inappropriate sites and retrospective planning applications which are of little use to travellers or residents alike. The uncertainty in the area has taken a real toll, as many made clear.
“I fully support north Bedfordshire councillor's efforts to urge Bedford Borough Council to find alternative and better new sites, currently heavily over-represented in the rural Bedford area.”
A follow up meeting will be held by the parish councils, resident associations and Mr Burt in a few weeks time to discuss progress on the issues raised.
More than 70 people attended a meeting last Saturday chaired by MP for North East Bedfordshire Alistair Burt including members of 26 local rural parish councils and a number of borough councillors.
While the recent U-turn on Meadow Lane is welcomed with the assurances by the Mayor that it will be considered for planning on March 26, concern is that this may not succeed and that the borough council should also be progressing alternative sites now.
And the North Bedfordshire Residents Associaiton says it’s launching a ‘vigorous campaign’ to ensure that its voice is heard.
Aspokesman for the group said:“There is a growing sense of frustration amongst the community of North Bedfordshire at the lack of adequate provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Borough, resulting in an increased number of illegal encampments and temporary permissions being given for unsuitable sites.
“We welcome the progress that is being made on the Meadow Lane site; however we are very concerned that the Borough's identification of alternative sites is progressing too slowly."
MP Alistair Burt said he’d be meeting Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles MP to raise points from the meeting. He added:“I was very pleased to take part in today's meeting. North Bedfordshire seems to have highlighted the very reasons for the need to re-balance the law, with a number of inappropriate sites and retrospective planning applications which are of little use to travellers or residents alike. The uncertainty in the area has taken a real toll, as many made clear.
“I fully support north Bedfordshire councillor's efforts to urge Bedford Borough Council to find alternative and better new sites, currently heavily over-represented in the rural Bedford area.”
A follow up meeting will be held by the parish councils, resident associations and Mr Burt in a few weeks time to discuss progress on the issues raised.
Romany gypsy who was devoted to her family dies - Rochdale
A Romany gypsy whose life was celebrated at Touchstones has passed away.
Ada Herring died at the age of 89 last week after a period of illness. Born at the old Clegg’s Yard off Union Street, at Town Head, Ada lived the traditional travelling lifestyle, spending some years in Ireland and others around England, but settling in Wren Green, Newbold, for the final years of her life. As a child she lived in a tent held up by rods from a willow tree, her father working as a horse dealer and hawker around Rochdale.
She was baptised at St James’ Church and moved to Dublin at the age of five, where she grew up. Ada married husband Oldy aged 16 and the couple returned to England after the Second World War to raise their children. They raised Nuckey, Truvel, My Heather and Oldy, and went on to have 20 grandchildren and more than 20 great-grandchildren.
Ada was a keen seamstress and would sell, or ‘hawk’, pegs, charms and lace in streets around Rochdale. She would also tell fortunes. In 2010 the Mayor of Rochdale, then Coun Zulfiqar Ali, opened an exhibition at Touchstones celebrating her life and Romany heritage. It is still in place today and describes Ada’s experiences of growing up and working within the Romany community. She was thought to be one of the oldest Romany Gypsies in the area.
Many of Ada’s family members continue to live the Gypsy lifestyle while a small number have settled in Rochdale. They say Ada never wanted to give up the traditional way of life but settled in Newbold in her old age. In tribute, they said: "She was a very kind woman and it was all about the family for her. She was very popular and well known all over Rochdale. "She would never hurt a fly or do anything to con anyone and was the nicest person you could meet." Ada’s funeral takes place on Monday, at 1.30pm at Rochdale Cemetery.
Ada Herring died at the age of 89 last week after a period of illness. Born at the old Clegg’s Yard off Union Street, at Town Head, Ada lived the traditional travelling lifestyle, spending some years in Ireland and others around England, but settling in Wren Green, Newbold, for the final years of her life. As a child she lived in a tent held up by rods from a willow tree, her father working as a horse dealer and hawker around Rochdale.
She was baptised at St James’ Church and moved to Dublin at the age of five, where she grew up. Ada married husband Oldy aged 16 and the couple returned to England after the Second World War to raise their children. They raised Nuckey, Truvel, My Heather and Oldy, and went on to have 20 grandchildren and more than 20 great-grandchildren.
Ada was a keen seamstress and would sell, or ‘hawk’, pegs, charms and lace in streets around Rochdale. She would also tell fortunes. In 2010 the Mayor of Rochdale, then Coun Zulfiqar Ali, opened an exhibition at Touchstones celebrating her life and Romany heritage. It is still in place today and describes Ada’s experiences of growing up and working within the Romany community. She was thought to be one of the oldest Romany Gypsies in the area.
Many of Ada’s family members continue to live the Gypsy lifestyle while a small number have settled in Rochdale. They say Ada never wanted to give up the traditional way of life but settled in Newbold in her old age. In tribute, they said: "She was a very kind woman and it was all about the family for her. She was very popular and well known all over Rochdale. "She would never hurt a fly or do anything to con anyone and was the nicest person you could meet." Ada’s funeral takes place on Monday, at 1.30pm at Rochdale Cemetery.
Gypsies given permission to expand pitches in Great Braxted - Essex
A MOTHER of two says she is forced to have a Gypsy site in a field next to her family home because of the council's failings.
The site, off Lea Lane in Great Braxted, was granted permission for more caravans by the Planning Inspectorate last Monday.
After months of appeals from residents, the inspector came down on the side of the Travellers.
Annie Hopkins, who lives in Lea Lane and is the organiser of the village's Residents Against Inappropriate Development group, said she is angry about the council's lack of clear policy on traveller sites.
She said: "Unfortunately one of the main reasons this has gone through is because Maldon District Council has no strategic plan for Traveller and Gypsy sites.
"The inspector said that the main reason it was being allowed was because of the serious failure of Maldon District Council – not because the site is suitable."
The new site will include space for a travelling caravan, space for a static caravan and a utility block. It will add to the 11 permanent pitches already there.
Mrs Hopkins, who has two sons, said: "We have always co-existed peacefully with the travellers but over recent years the site has expanded quite a lot – now it has come within 10ft of our house.
"Now we have said enough is enough."
Many councils have adopted what is known as a Core Strategy, in which criteria for the location of Gypsy sites are set out to guide allocations and meet unexpected demand. Maldon District Council chose not to adopt one.
The original planning application had been opposed by the council in May 2011, but the Planning Inspectorate allowed the appeal due to the council's lack of clear policy.
"There are no sanctions against the council and the people who suffer are us," said Mrs Hopkins.
"We can't move, we can't sell our house, our children's pension fund has gone.
"I can't build a house at the bottom of my garden for my elderly father, or for my children, but a new site is allowed there. It's massively unfair."
Mrs Hopkins said she feels as though the battle with the council is never-ending, describing their representation at hearings on the matter as "lamentable".
She added: "It would have been laughable if it hadn't been so tragic."
Last year, as part of the Government's Affordable Homes Programme, £60m was made available to local councils for the provision of Gypsy pitches.
Mrs Hopkins said: "No one would take the money. If this was for sports facilities or education they would have bitten their hands off for it.
"Everybody's frightened to be called racist when really they're not. It's rotten."
Priti Patel, MP for Witham, has also attacked Maldon District Council for its lack of policy.
She said: "It's such a serious issue. I will be taking it to the Secretary of State."
"While recognising that we need to have enough site allocations for travellers, they have to come about in the rightful way, not this spurious route."
Council leader John Archer said: "The position regarding the provision of gypsy and traveller sites in the district is being reviewed through the emerging Local Development Plan framework as agreed by the council in July 2011.
"While we note the views of Mrs Hopkins, this application has followed the due process with a decision made by the secretary of state through the Planning Inspector."
One Traveller, who did not wish to be named, said: "We're outside of the village so we don't really know what others think but we're fine with it."
The site, off Lea Lane in Great Braxted, was granted permission for more caravans by the Planning Inspectorate last Monday.
After months of appeals from residents, the inspector came down on the side of the Travellers.
Annie Hopkins, who lives in Lea Lane and is the organiser of the village's Residents Against Inappropriate Development group, said she is angry about the council's lack of clear policy on traveller sites.
She said: "Unfortunately one of the main reasons this has gone through is because Maldon District Council has no strategic plan for Traveller and Gypsy sites.
"The inspector said that the main reason it was being allowed was because of the serious failure of Maldon District Council – not because the site is suitable."
The new site will include space for a travelling caravan, space for a static caravan and a utility block. It will add to the 11 permanent pitches already there.
Mrs Hopkins, who has two sons, said: "We have always co-existed peacefully with the travellers but over recent years the site has expanded quite a lot – now it has come within 10ft of our house.
"Now we have said enough is enough."
Many councils have adopted what is known as a Core Strategy, in which criteria for the location of Gypsy sites are set out to guide allocations and meet unexpected demand. Maldon District Council chose not to adopt one.
The original planning application had been opposed by the council in May 2011, but the Planning Inspectorate allowed the appeal due to the council's lack of clear policy.
"There are no sanctions against the council and the people who suffer are us," said Mrs Hopkins.
"We can't move, we can't sell our house, our children's pension fund has gone.
"I can't build a house at the bottom of my garden for my elderly father, or for my children, but a new site is allowed there. It's massively unfair."
Mrs Hopkins said she feels as though the battle with the council is never-ending, describing their representation at hearings on the matter as "lamentable".
She added: "It would have been laughable if it hadn't been so tragic."
Last year, as part of the Government's Affordable Homes Programme, £60m was made available to local councils for the provision of Gypsy pitches.
Mrs Hopkins said: "No one would take the money. If this was for sports facilities or education they would have bitten their hands off for it.
"Everybody's frightened to be called racist when really they're not. It's rotten."
Priti Patel, MP for Witham, has also attacked Maldon District Council for its lack of policy.
She said: "It's such a serious issue. I will be taking it to the Secretary of State."
"While recognising that we need to have enough site allocations for travellers, they have to come about in the rightful way, not this spurious route."
Council leader John Archer said: "The position regarding the provision of gypsy and traveller sites in the district is being reviewed through the emerging Local Development Plan framework as agreed by the council in July 2011.
"While we note the views of Mrs Hopkins, this application has followed the due process with a decision made by the secretary of state through the Planning Inspector."
One Traveller, who did not wish to be named, said: "We're outside of the village so we don't really know what others think but we're fine with it."
Caravan site plan 'thin end of the wedge' - Darlington
PLANS to extend a private Gypsy caravan site have been dubbed the “thin edge of the wedge” by a councillor.
Hurworth councillor Martin Swainston said he is concerned about the growing number of Gypsy and traveller sites in the village and has criticised Darlington Borough Council’s failure to provide enough plots for travelling communities.
His comments come after plans were submitted for extending a private Gypsy site at the west of Snipe Lane, Hurworth, near Darlington, by adding an extra three plots for caravans.
Applicant Rebecca Maughan, who was granted permission for the private site in July last year, wants members of her extended family to come and live on the site.
Ms Maughan’s supporting statement said there is no space for her family members at sites in Durham, Darlington and London.
A government report has said that there is a need for 61 extra plots in Darlington for travelling communities.
In Snipe Lane, there is a seperate existing private Gypsy site owned by Robert Smith, and there is another application submitted for a private site from Foster Lee.
Alison Heine, Ms Maughan’s planning consultant, said in the supporting statement care would be taken to ensure the cluster of sites did not become “an unaacaptable scrawl”.
“there remains an immediate and pressing need for more sites in Darlington which to date has been met by ad hoc decisions for small family sites.
“The council has just been successful in its bid to the Home and Communities Agency (HCA) for funding for 20 more socially-provided sites. This is extrremely welcome but will not address the immediate need for 61 additional pitches by 2012. the council will rely on applications for private sites to make up the deficit.”
But Coun Swainston said: “ I am regularly contacted by residents on this issue. The village is bearing the brunt of private applications because the council has not provided enough sites.
“It is time Darlington Borough Council did what they are supposed to do.
“I am concerned this application to extend may be the thin end of the wedge. It is three more today; in a couple of years, it may be five or six. I am not anti-Gypsy or anti-traveller, but this is far too many sites for Hurworth.”
A council spokeswoman confirmed £1.5m had been allocated from the HCA for pitches and were looking at how best to spend it.
She said they were working on a document to accommodate the needs of Gypsies and travellers over the next 15 years, with consultation starting in the next two months.
“The planning application at Snipe Lane is to be determined on its individual merits based on the existing recently adopted local planning policy, together with national guidance."
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Green belt site assessed for Travellers again - Surrey
PEOPLE in a packed Shalford Village Hall witnessed an impassioned defence of a piece of land identified as a possible Travellers’ site.
More than 200 people attended the meeting, many of whom posed questions directly to council leader Tony Rooth, who was forced to deny accusations that Guildford Borough Council’s site allocation process was a sham.
It was announced last month that the Stonebridge site, previously judged as unsuitable for accommodation, will be reassessed, to the dismay of Stonebridge Action Group (STAG) campaigners.
The huge turnout of people wearing badges supplied by STAG meant many were unable to even enter the main hall, instead watching from the foyer, where three police officers were on hand as a precaution.
Hosted by Shalford Parish Council, the meeting allowed concerned parties to hear about the scoping process being carried out and to ask questions to Cllr Rooth and the borough council’s head of planning, Carol Humphrey.
Stonebridge, a green belt site adjacent to the A281 Horsham Road, between Shalford and Bramley, has been previously identified as a potential area for Traveller accommodation in 1982, 1987 and 1992, but was rejected on each occasion.
The land is said to be heavily contaminated, having been used for landfill. It lies on a flood plain and has poor road access.
Cllr James Palmer, who represents the Shalford ward, presented the view of the majority of those in attendance, demanding that an adequate consultation period followed the £24,000 scoping exercise.
He said: “Why is this site being looked at again when it has been rejected three times before? It feels like the same question is being asked until they get the right answer.
“What’s the point of having Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) if they are ignored?”
He joked that the most common suggestion to the question of where else sites could go was in Cllr Rooth’s back garden – at which point the council leader pointed out that he lived in a flat.
An alternative proposal has been put forward by the Wey and Arun Canal Trust to create a mooring basin, and Chris Harrison, project manager for the trust’s canal reinstatement scheme in the area, asked that the land be reserved for this work if found to be unsuitable for Traveller accommodation.
Ms Humphrey said that no guarantees could be given that the land would be reserved for anything, but she encouraged the canal trust to continue its dialogue with the council.
She said that in scoping the land, a number of key authorities would be consulted, including those involving the environment, highways, police and education. She said the issue of potential flooding would also be looked at closely.
The council has long since accepted the borough’s "urgent need" for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, and is keen to end the growing trend of unauthorised sites on green belt land being approved on appeal.
Cllr Rooth spoke of his personal experience and objections to a pitch in Puttenham Heath Road, Puttenham, which was recently approved on appeal.
STAG committee member Henry Ward claimed that a lack of a lengthy public consultation following the scoping work would render the process a sham.
Responding, Cllr Rooth said: “We will abide by any time-tabled consultation laid out. "To those who think this is a sham, is this meeting a sham? The only sham would be if we weren’t here.”
He concluded: “In a sense, whether we like it or not, these sites have to go somewhere. We have no choice but to accept this challenge.
“Unless the need for sites is addressed, then we cannot guarantee AONBs will be protected. It is better to choose where the pitches go and control them rather than end up possibly spending millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on evicting travellers from unauthorised sites.”
Speaking at the end of the meeting, STAG chairman Chris Parker argued that high costs and poor logistics made Stonebridge unsuitable as a site, and he received enthusiastic applause.
“We’re here to look at a scoping of the scoping exercise and we’ve come away with more questions than answers,” Mr Parker said. “We’ll keep hounding them.”
More than 200 people attended the meeting, many of whom posed questions directly to council leader Tony Rooth, who was forced to deny accusations that Guildford Borough Council’s site allocation process was a sham.
It was announced last month that the Stonebridge site, previously judged as unsuitable for accommodation, will be reassessed, to the dismay of Stonebridge Action Group (STAG) campaigners.
The huge turnout of people wearing badges supplied by STAG meant many were unable to even enter the main hall, instead watching from the foyer, where three police officers were on hand as a precaution.
Hosted by Shalford Parish Council, the meeting allowed concerned parties to hear about the scoping process being carried out and to ask questions to Cllr Rooth and the borough council’s head of planning, Carol Humphrey.
Stonebridge, a green belt site adjacent to the A281 Horsham Road, between Shalford and Bramley, has been previously identified as a potential area for Traveller accommodation in 1982, 1987 and 1992, but was rejected on each occasion.
The land is said to be heavily contaminated, having been used for landfill. It lies on a flood plain and has poor road access.
Cllr James Palmer, who represents the Shalford ward, presented the view of the majority of those in attendance, demanding that an adequate consultation period followed the £24,000 scoping exercise.
He said: “Why is this site being looked at again when it has been rejected three times before? It feels like the same question is being asked until they get the right answer.
“What’s the point of having Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) if they are ignored?”
He joked that the most common suggestion to the question of where else sites could go was in Cllr Rooth’s back garden – at which point the council leader pointed out that he lived in a flat.
An alternative proposal has been put forward by the Wey and Arun Canal Trust to create a mooring basin, and Chris Harrison, project manager for the trust’s canal reinstatement scheme in the area, asked that the land be reserved for this work if found to be unsuitable for Traveller accommodation.
Ms Humphrey said that no guarantees could be given that the land would be reserved for anything, but she encouraged the canal trust to continue its dialogue with the council.
She said that in scoping the land, a number of key authorities would be consulted, including those involving the environment, highways, police and education. She said the issue of potential flooding would also be looked at closely.
The council has long since accepted the borough’s "urgent need" for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, and is keen to end the growing trend of unauthorised sites on green belt land being approved on appeal.
Cllr Rooth spoke of his personal experience and objections to a pitch in Puttenham Heath Road, Puttenham, which was recently approved on appeal.
STAG committee member Henry Ward claimed that a lack of a lengthy public consultation following the scoping work would render the process a sham.
Responding, Cllr Rooth said: “We will abide by any time-tabled consultation laid out. "To those who think this is a sham, is this meeting a sham? The only sham would be if we weren’t here.”
He concluded: “In a sense, whether we like it or not, these sites have to go somewhere. We have no choice but to accept this challenge.
“Unless the need for sites is addressed, then we cannot guarantee AONBs will be protected. It is better to choose where the pitches go and control them rather than end up possibly spending millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on evicting travellers from unauthorised sites.”
Speaking at the end of the meeting, STAG chairman Chris Parker argued that high costs and poor logistics made Stonebridge unsuitable as a site, and he received enthusiastic applause.
“We’re here to look at a scoping of the scoping exercise and we’ve come away with more questions than answers,” Mr Parker said. “We’ll keep hounding them.”
Travellers’ site scheme - Selby
THE CONTROVERSY over the future of an arson-ravaged former mushroom farm has reignited.
New proposals to create Showpeople’s quarters at the old Gateforth Park mushroom farm near Thorpe Willoughby have been submitted to Selby District Council planners. A decision will be made in April.
It follows an earlier attempt to use the site for showpeople which was turned down last year after hundreds of local people objected.
Marie Stacey at Ian Beasley Associates in Nottingham said her firm had been asked to put together the planning
application on behalf of Aliceanne Smith and Donegal Creameries.
In its submission to the council, the firm says the showpeople were “compelled” to form a group because of the lack of alternative sites throughout Yorkshire. The showpeople are now “desperately” in need of accomodation.
They want to demolish some buildings and create accomodation for ten families. The scheme would meet a “social and economic need”.
The submission went on: “The proposal is a non-profit exercise, simply seeking alternative accomodation for local travelling Showpeople, the need for which is most pressing.”
“All future occupants presently reside on existing sites on a temporary basis. None of them have security of tenure.”
It stated many had been forced to frequently move from site to site.
And it went on: “The search for suitable and available sites for permanent quarters is rather like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
New proposals to create Showpeople’s quarters at the old Gateforth Park mushroom farm near Thorpe Willoughby have been submitted to Selby District Council planners. A decision will be made in April.
It follows an earlier attempt to use the site for showpeople which was turned down last year after hundreds of local people objected.
Marie Stacey at Ian Beasley Associates in Nottingham said her firm had been asked to put together the planning
application on behalf of Aliceanne Smith and Donegal Creameries.
In its submission to the council, the firm says the showpeople were “compelled” to form a group because of the lack of alternative sites throughout Yorkshire. The showpeople are now “desperately” in need of accomodation.
They want to demolish some buildings and create accomodation for ten families. The scheme would meet a “social and economic need”.
The submission went on: “The proposal is a non-profit exercise, simply seeking alternative accomodation for local travelling Showpeople, the need for which is most pressing.”
“All future occupants presently reside on existing sites on a temporary basis. None of them have security of tenure.”
It stated many had been forced to frequently move from site to site.
And it went on: “The search for suitable and available sites for permanent quarters is rather like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
Travellers camp at former Burnley high school site
A TRAVELLER site has sprung up at a popular Burnley beauty spot.
Four caravans appeared on land close to the former Towneley High School site off Towneley Holmes Road today.
The Travellers are believed to be from the same group that set up camp near the historic Towneley Hall last July.
Burnley Council officials served the group with an existing possession order obtained from magistrates last year.
A statement from a council spokesman said: “We are aware of the Travellers being on the site. We have issued them with a possession order and if they have not left by next Friday they will be removed.”
see also Travellers return to Towneley Park in Burnley
Four caravans appeared on land close to the former Towneley High School site off Towneley Holmes Road today.
The Travellers are believed to be from the same group that set up camp near the historic Towneley Hall last July.
Burnley Council officials served the group with an existing possession order obtained from magistrates last year.
A statement from a council spokesman said: “We are aware of the Travellers being on the site. We have issued them with a possession order and if they have not left by next Friday they will be removed.”
see also Travellers return to Towneley Park in Burnley
Site deliberately being left bare to stop it being reoccupied - Dale Farm
DALE Farm will remain as it is until the threat of reoccupation by Travellers has gone, the leader of Basildon Borough Council has said.
Councillor Tony Ball told the Gazette he was "satisfied" with the clearance of Dale Farm and that its return to something befitting green belt land depends on the Travellers.
"It doesn't look aesthetically great at the moment but that's only a temporary measure to keep it secure while it's under the threat of reoccupation," he said.
"How long it stays like that is a matter for the Travellers. When we are satisfied the threat of reoccupation has gone we will start to return it to what people recognise as a green belt area."
Mr Ball said the council will look to resolve the issue of water in the craters at Dale Farm in "the near future" adding that "as a parent I would not let my child play somewhere where it is dangerous".
The council leader said the new Localism Bill will help the authority enforce planning law on the legal Traveller site in Oak Lane.
The bill, passed in November, has removed the possibility of people applying for retrospective planning permission, which hindered enforcement action at Dale Farm ten years ago.
Mr Ball has also warned the owners of the legal plots that they could be served with court injunctions if they do not comply with planning regulations.
Injunctions would result in fines for the landowner for every day they are in breach of planning regulation.
The cost of October's eviction has been the subject of speculation and Mr Ball refused to be drawn on how much it has cost the taxpayer.
However, he expects it to have cost less than the £8million the council was going to put towards the eviction – the total budget for which was £18million – with a full breakdown of the costs to be published by the authority "shortly".
Councillor Tony Ball told the Gazette he was "satisfied" with the clearance of Dale Farm and that its return to something befitting green belt land depends on the Travellers.
"It doesn't look aesthetically great at the moment but that's only a temporary measure to keep it secure while it's under the threat of reoccupation," he said.
"How long it stays like that is a matter for the Travellers. When we are satisfied the threat of reoccupation has gone we will start to return it to what people recognise as a green belt area."
Mr Ball said the council will look to resolve the issue of water in the craters at Dale Farm in "the near future" adding that "as a parent I would not let my child play somewhere where it is dangerous".
The council leader said the new Localism Bill will help the authority enforce planning law on the legal Traveller site in Oak Lane.
The bill, passed in November, has removed the possibility of people applying for retrospective planning permission, which hindered enforcement action at Dale Farm ten years ago.
Mr Ball has also warned the owners of the legal plots that they could be served with court injunctions if they do not comply with planning regulations.
Injunctions would result in fines for the landowner for every day they are in breach of planning regulation.
The cost of October's eviction has been the subject of speculation and Mr Ball refused to be drawn on how much it has cost the taxpayer.
However, he expects it to have cost less than the £8million the council was going to put towards the eviction – the total budget for which was £18million – with a full breakdown of the costs to be published by the authority "shortly".
Dale Farm: a tale of blighted lives for the evicted Traveller families
THE winter air at Dale Farm hangs thick with the smell of rotting rubbish, sewage and urine.
The plots where caravans once stood have been left as craters and are beginning to fill with rainwater.
Three young girls frolic among the mounds of earth. Their childish, playful voices are incongruous in an abject landscape.
Only two smashed-up caravans give any indication as to what went before.
Mattresses, sofas and bags of rubbish are now strewn across the main road. Travellers claim fly-tippers come during the night to dump rubbish.
A van has been parked across the road to block their path.
"If you have a problem, solve it, don't make it worse," said John Flynn. The 52-year-old used to live at Dale Farm, but has since moved elsewhere, although he declined to say where.
It is the first time he has been back to the site since the eviction on October 19 and it is a sobering view.
"The council could have made things better, but no, they had to demonise us," he said, overlooking a crater filled with water.
"The council has condemned another ten generations of kids to a life without education. This was a lovely community. We were just starting to interact with people in the local area.
"If we are always kept apart from the local community things will never get better.
"The only way out of this is education. People say the children go to school only three or four times a week, but that's better than nothing."
Along with fly-tipping, another problem to have emerged is the lack of sanitation.
The 400 Travellers who once lived on Dale Farm have moved onto Oak Lane, the adjacent legal pitches, and the road. Their numbers have visibly swelled.
The population increase is set against a fall in toilet and washing facilities. Toilets are limited to a handful on the legal pitches.
There is an overriding smell of urine around the legal site that induces a vomiting sensation.
Travellers admit they are forced to urinate in the road while also claiming that many children have been taken to hospital with stomach bugs and diarrhoea since the eviction.
Mary Sheridan is preparing food for her ten-month old baby daughter in her caravan on one of the legal plots.
"Everyone's lives are just hell," she said.
"At least two kids from every family have been sick because of the sewage and the germs."
Of far greater concern to travellers is how Dale Farm has been left. The craters dug following the eviction are beginning to fill with rainwater and children still play in between the mounds of earth.
"They've left it in a complete mess. The kids push each other about and one of them is going to fall in and end up drowning," said Mary.
"We're just asking for normal lives. It is a horrible situation when you can't live where you want to."
The prospect of facing yet another eviction looms large on the horizon and brings with it all too familiar rhetoric from the mum of four.
"If we move from here, where do we go? If we go to Southend they will move us, if we go to Chelmsford they will move us.
"We are human people with children. We are not aliens," she said.
Her sentiments are echoed by Breda Sheridan. The 39-year-old lives in her caravan along the side of the road.
"There is no way of describing our lives," she said. "The council had us once, we are not going to do it again. Let the bailiffs come, we don't care."
The plots where caravans once stood have been left as craters and are beginning to fill with rainwater.
Three young girls frolic among the mounds of earth. Their childish, playful voices are incongruous in an abject landscape.
Only two smashed-up caravans give any indication as to what went before.
Mattresses, sofas and bags of rubbish are now strewn across the main road. Travellers claim fly-tippers come during the night to dump rubbish.
A van has been parked across the road to block their path.
"If you have a problem, solve it, don't make it worse," said John Flynn. The 52-year-old used to live at Dale Farm, but has since moved elsewhere, although he declined to say where.
It is the first time he has been back to the site since the eviction on October 19 and it is a sobering view.
"The council could have made things better, but no, they had to demonise us," he said, overlooking a crater filled with water.
"The council has condemned another ten generations of kids to a life without education. This was a lovely community. We were just starting to interact with people in the local area.
"If we are always kept apart from the local community things will never get better.
"The only way out of this is education. People say the children go to school only three or four times a week, but that's better than nothing."
Along with fly-tipping, another problem to have emerged is the lack of sanitation.
The 400 Travellers who once lived on Dale Farm have moved onto Oak Lane, the adjacent legal pitches, and the road. Their numbers have visibly swelled.
The population increase is set against a fall in toilet and washing facilities. Toilets are limited to a handful on the legal pitches.
There is an overriding smell of urine around the legal site that induces a vomiting sensation.
Travellers admit they are forced to urinate in the road while also claiming that many children have been taken to hospital with stomach bugs and diarrhoea since the eviction.
Mary Sheridan is preparing food for her ten-month old baby daughter in her caravan on one of the legal plots.
"Everyone's lives are just hell," she said.
"At least two kids from every family have been sick because of the sewage and the germs."
Of far greater concern to travellers is how Dale Farm has been left. The craters dug following the eviction are beginning to fill with rainwater and children still play in between the mounds of earth.
"They've left it in a complete mess. The kids push each other about and one of them is going to fall in and end up drowning," said Mary.
"We're just asking for normal lives. It is a horrible situation when you can't live where you want to."
The prospect of facing yet another eviction looms large on the horizon and brings with it all too familiar rhetoric from the mum of four.
"If we move from here, where do we go? If we go to Southend they will move us, if we go to Chelmsford they will move us.
"We are human people with children. We are not aliens," she said.
Her sentiments are echoed by Breda Sheridan. The 39-year-old lives in her caravan along the side of the road.
"There is no way of describing our lives," she said. "The council had us once, we are not going to do it again. Let the bailiffs come, we don't care."
Alistair Burt MP Chairs Meeting on Gypsy & Traveller Sites
North Bedfordshire Parish Councils and Resident Associations called a meeting last Saturday chaired by Local MP Alistair Burt. They feel that the Borough Council has been dragging its feet in providing appropriate sites for the Gypsy and Traveller community. Over 70 people attended the meeting including representatives of 26 local Rural Parish Councils, together with a number of Borough Councillors whose wards are affected by this issue.
While the recent U-turn on Meadow Lane is welcomed with the assurances by the Mayor that it will be considered for planning on 26 March, concern is that this may not succeed and that the Borough should also be progressing alternative sites now.
The recent spate of sites, and planning applications for more sites in our open countryside, does not help or support either the Traveller or the Settled Communities as they are in areas with inadequate facilities, no immediate access to shops, doctors, schools or work.
Under planning legislation there is a hierarchy of preferred sites for Travellers recognising that Urban sites, or those on the edge of Urban areas are the most appropriate, providing facilities and access to work. Open rural locations near to small villages should be the last resort. Recent planning appeals have granted Temporary sites in rural areas, specifically because the Borough Council has failed on policy to provide alternative sites. It is imperative for the Borough to develop appropriate policy to identify sites without further delay and implement that policy with all speed, 2014 is too late.
Government policy could be described currently as a planning vacuum. The old planning policies have not yet been revoked, new regulations under the Localism Act not yet implemented, and no guidance on the forthcoming National Planning Policy Framework. Planners, the Borough Council, Parish Councils and local residents alike are all frustrated by not having definitive guidance at this time.
A follow up meeting will be held by the Parish Councils, Resident Associations and our MP in a few weeks time to discuss progress on the issues raised.
Alistair Burt, MP for NE Bedfordshire said; "I was very pleased to take part in today's meeting. North Bedfordshire seems to have highlighted the very reasons for the need to re-balance the law, with a number of inappropriate sites and retrospective planning applications which are of little use to Travellers or residents alike. The uncertainty in the area has taken a real toll, as many made clear.
I will be meeting Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles MP to take to him points raised at the meeting and to discuss how quickly the changes the government has introduced can take effect. I fully support north Bedfordshire councillor's efforts to urge Bedford Borough Council to find alternative and better new sites, currently heavily over-represented in the rural Bedford area."
A spokesman for the North Bedfordshire Residents Association said; "There is a growing sense of frustration amongst the community of North Bedfordshire at the lack of adequate provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Borough, resulting in an increased number of illegal encampments and temporary permissions being given for unsuitable sites. We will be mounting a vigorous campaign to ensure that our voice is heard and that pressure is applied on the Borough to find adequate and suitable sites for Gypsies and Travellers in accordance with the Borough's obligations. We welcome the progress that is being made on the Meadow Lane site; however we are very concerned that the Borough's identification of alternative sites is progressing too slowly."
It is interesting to see the point highlighted by Joseph Jones, a spokesman for the National Gypsy Council, quoted in the BoS article on 8 Jan 2012, "Bedford Borough Council hasn't done enough to provide locations for the (G&T) community and while report after report is done on Meadow Lane."
While the recent U-turn on Meadow Lane is welcomed with the assurances by the Mayor that it will be considered for planning on 26 March, concern is that this may not succeed and that the Borough should also be progressing alternative sites now.
The recent spate of sites, and planning applications for more sites in our open countryside, does not help or support either the Traveller or the Settled Communities as they are in areas with inadequate facilities, no immediate access to shops, doctors, schools or work.
Under planning legislation there is a hierarchy of preferred sites for Travellers recognising that Urban sites, or those on the edge of Urban areas are the most appropriate, providing facilities and access to work. Open rural locations near to small villages should be the last resort. Recent planning appeals have granted Temporary sites in rural areas, specifically because the Borough Council has failed on policy to provide alternative sites. It is imperative for the Borough to develop appropriate policy to identify sites without further delay and implement that policy with all speed, 2014 is too late.
Government policy could be described currently as a planning vacuum. The old planning policies have not yet been revoked, new regulations under the Localism Act not yet implemented, and no guidance on the forthcoming National Planning Policy Framework. Planners, the Borough Council, Parish Councils and local residents alike are all frustrated by not having definitive guidance at this time.
A follow up meeting will be held by the Parish Councils, Resident Associations and our MP in a few weeks time to discuss progress on the issues raised.
Alistair Burt, MP for NE Bedfordshire said; "I was very pleased to take part in today's meeting. North Bedfordshire seems to have highlighted the very reasons for the need to re-balance the law, with a number of inappropriate sites and retrospective planning applications which are of little use to Travellers or residents alike. The uncertainty in the area has taken a real toll, as many made clear.
I will be meeting Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles MP to take to him points raised at the meeting and to discuss how quickly the changes the government has introduced can take effect. I fully support north Bedfordshire councillor's efforts to urge Bedford Borough Council to find alternative and better new sites, currently heavily over-represented in the rural Bedford area."
A spokesman for the North Bedfordshire Residents Association said; "There is a growing sense of frustration amongst the community of North Bedfordshire at the lack of adequate provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Borough, resulting in an increased number of illegal encampments and temporary permissions being given for unsuitable sites. We will be mounting a vigorous campaign to ensure that our voice is heard and that pressure is applied on the Borough to find adequate and suitable sites for Gypsies and Travellers in accordance with the Borough's obligations. We welcome the progress that is being made on the Meadow Lane site; however we are very concerned that the Borough's identification of alternative sites is progressing too slowly."
It is interesting to see the point highlighted by Joseph Jones, a spokesman for the National Gypsy Council, quoted in the BoS article on 8 Jan 2012, "Bedford Borough Council hasn't done enough to provide locations for the (G&T) community and while report after report is done on Meadow Lane."
Dale Farm Gypsies set for second eviction
ENFORCEMENT notices will be served on illegally camped Dale Farm Travellers for the second time in four months – but only after electricity is restored to plots on the Crays Hill site.
The notices will be handed to Travellers by next Tuesday as soon as Basildon Borough Council contractors finish re-laying power cables to three legal plots which were dug up during the October site clearance.
The work is in compliance with a High Court order made prior to the eviction, which saw bailiffs force up to 400 Gypsies off the five-acre green belt site. The council will then look to deal with a number of breaches of planning regulations on the legal Oak Lane traveller site – which adjoins the former illegal site, and to which many of the ravellers relocated.
The authority, which has not yet confirmed how much it spent on the eviction, will also serve notices on up to 20 caravans parked without planning permission along the access road to the Oak Lane site.
Meanwhile, Essex Police have revealed that they spent £2.375 million of public money to help with the clearance of Dale Farm.
A police spokesman said a breakdown of costs, as well as other information as yet undisclosed, will be published by the end of the month.
Essex Police had secured £9.5 million from the Home Office to cover their potential eviction costs.
Speaking about the reinstallation of electricity cables and further enforcement action, council leader Tony Ball said: "We have got to comply with what the High Court has told us to do first.
"We don't want to get the waters muddied by [the Travellers'] claims that we have not complied with the law on our part. We will then serve the enforcement notices on breaches of planning regulations on the legal site and breaches along the road."
Mr Ball confirmed that additional Travellers had turned up along the roadside.
He said: "Some of the caravans along the road are occupied by people who weren't at Dale Farm before."
Ramsden Crays Parish councillors met last week to discuss Dale Farm, which has become a haunt for fly-tippers since the eviction.
Councillor David McPherson-Davis said: "This is far from finished.
"It's an ongoing situation that needs to be resolved quickly."
The notices will be handed to Travellers by next Tuesday as soon as Basildon Borough Council contractors finish re-laying power cables to three legal plots which were dug up during the October site clearance.
The work is in compliance with a High Court order made prior to the eviction, which saw bailiffs force up to 400 Gypsies off the five-acre green belt site. The council will then look to deal with a number of breaches of planning regulations on the legal Oak Lane traveller site – which adjoins the former illegal site, and to which many of the ravellers relocated.
The authority, which has not yet confirmed how much it spent on the eviction, will also serve notices on up to 20 caravans parked without planning permission along the access road to the Oak Lane site.
Meanwhile, Essex Police have revealed that they spent £2.375 million of public money to help with the clearance of Dale Farm.
A police spokesman said a breakdown of costs, as well as other information as yet undisclosed, will be published by the end of the month.
Essex Police had secured £9.5 million from the Home Office to cover their potential eviction costs.
Speaking about the reinstallation of electricity cables and further enforcement action, council leader Tony Ball said: "We have got to comply with what the High Court has told us to do first.
"We don't want to get the waters muddied by [the Travellers'] claims that we have not complied with the law on our part. We will then serve the enforcement notices on breaches of planning regulations on the legal site and breaches along the road."
Mr Ball confirmed that additional Travellers had turned up along the roadside.
He said: "Some of the caravans along the road are occupied by people who weren't at Dale Farm before."
Ramsden Crays Parish councillors met last week to discuss Dale Farm, which has become a haunt for fly-tippers since the eviction.
Councillor David McPherson-Davis said: "This is far from finished.
"It's an ongoing situation that needs to be resolved quickly."
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Gypsy site appeal adjourned after row breaks out - Worcester
A HEARING on a controversial Gypsy site near Malvern had to be adjourned after a row between one of the gipsies and a local resident.
Angry words flew at Powick parish hall as the planning appeal hearing was discussing the impact on the village of Bastonford, where the Gypsy site is located.
The hearing was called after Edward Smith appealed against a decision by Malvern Hills District Council in October to refuse planning permission for the site.
He is also appealing against a council eviction notice forcing them to quit the site.
Planning inspector Victor Ammoun called a 10-minute adjournment after a Bastonford villager and one of the Gypsy applicants’ party exchanged a series of heated accusations. After reconvening the meeting he urged those present to remain calm.
The villager apologised and the Gypsy woman left the hall.
Vicky Bilton, of MHDC, said the council’s concern was about the impact of the site on views towards the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Resident Maureen North said the replacement of a hawthorn and bramble hedge by a wrought-iron gate had made the site more visible.
Mr Ammoun also heard evidence from villagers about the dangers of the A449/Old Malvern Road/Sparrowhall Lane junction, near the site.
Resident Michael Pearman said one of the hazards was that people trying to turn from Old Malvern Road or Sparrowhall Lane into the main road across the flow of traffic found themselves stuck in the middle of the road.
He said: “It’s the most dangerous manoeuvre you can imagine.”
But Brian Woods, for the applicants, queried this, saying that Worcestershire County Council had offered to build a roundabout but withdrew the idea after residents objected.
As part of the day’s proceedings, both sides went out together to measure “visibility splays” because the figures supplied by each side were different.
The appeal hearing is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, February 7
Angry words flew at Powick parish hall as the planning appeal hearing was discussing the impact on the village of Bastonford, where the Gypsy site is located.
The hearing was called after Edward Smith appealed against a decision by Malvern Hills District Council in October to refuse planning permission for the site.
He is also appealing against a council eviction notice forcing them to quit the site.
Planning inspector Victor Ammoun called a 10-minute adjournment after a Bastonford villager and one of the Gypsy applicants’ party exchanged a series of heated accusations. After reconvening the meeting he urged those present to remain calm.
The villager apologised and the Gypsy woman left the hall.
Vicky Bilton, of MHDC, said the council’s concern was about the impact of the site on views towards the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Resident Maureen North said the replacement of a hawthorn and bramble hedge by a wrought-iron gate had made the site more visible.
Mr Ammoun also heard evidence from villagers about the dangers of the A449/Old Malvern Road/Sparrowhall Lane junction, near the site.
Resident Michael Pearman said one of the hazards was that people trying to turn from Old Malvern Road or Sparrowhall Lane into the main road across the flow of traffic found themselves stuck in the middle of the road.
He said: “It’s the most dangerous manoeuvre you can imagine.”
But Brian Woods, for the applicants, queried this, saying that Worcestershire County Council had offered to build a roundabout but withdrew the idea after residents objected.
As part of the day’s proceedings, both sides went out together to measure “visibility splays” because the figures supplied by each side were different.
The appeal hearing is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, February 7
Friday, 27 January 2012
Gypsy site proposals - Bideford, Devon
On Monday, January 10, the Community and Resources committee met at the Torridge District Council offices in Bideford. Among the items on the agenda was the Gypsy and Traveller site at Derriton, a proposal that the people of Pyworthy and the surrounding areas had been assured was dead and gone.
Sadly this is not the case and the use of Derriton as a Gypsy and Traveller site is now very much on the cards again albeit in a different form.
I understand that the proposal is to provide four pitches (for occupation by one family group) with the possibility of transient Gypsy and Traveller pitches on the same site.
We have, as a parish council, been led to believe that permanent and transient sites should not be mixed as this can lead to problems in the management of the pitches.
Late in 2010 the community and resources at TDC rejected the proposal for various reasons, yet the same committee have now come up with a new proposal for the site, a proposal that the site does not have planning permission for.
Planning was for seven permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches. The grant of £842,000 awarded to TDC by the Homes and Communities Agency is still in the bank waiting to be used for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation or be returned to them. I was hopeful for the latter but unfortunately this has not occurred, nor is it likely to. Another proposal at the community and resources meeting was to develop four pitches at Derriton and to have some transient sites in the Bideford area.
As you can imagine that proposal was soon dealt with and rejected. TDC members won’t have a Gypsy and Traveller site in an area where the bulk of its electors reside especially with elections coming up in May this year.
At our council meeting on January 13, Councillor Morrish, leader of TDC, explained to Pyworthy Parish Council exactly what would happen regarding these new proposals in the near future. It would appear that the overview and scrutiny committee will review the proposal and make a decision on its future.
I don’t have an exact time scale for it but it appears that TDC have to commit by the end of March 2011 although an extension by the H&CA to June 2011 is possible but not a certainty.
During our discussions with TDC last year, we struggled to understand how the financial side of a seven-pitch development would stack up. Now it would appear that if a four-pitch site were developed at Derriton with no other accommodation on site, then only half the grant money can be used.
I don’t see how half a job can be done with half the money, unless of course you cut corners. Sheer rock face netting does not come cheap and can’t be compromised upon.
To sum up, I feel that TDC has let the parish of Pyworthy and its residents down by resurrecting this proposal and I can only hope that the grant of £842,000 is returned to the H&CA and this matter will be brought to a speedy end.
I urge the residents of Pyworthy and its surrounding areas to contact their district council and let them know their feelings and opinions on this matter.
ANDREW PARRISH,
Chairman Pyworthy Parish Council.
Sadly this is not the case and the use of Derriton as a Gypsy and Traveller site is now very much on the cards again albeit in a different form.
I understand that the proposal is to provide four pitches (for occupation by one family group) with the possibility of transient Gypsy and Traveller pitches on the same site.
We have, as a parish council, been led to believe that permanent and transient sites should not be mixed as this can lead to problems in the management of the pitches.
Late in 2010 the community and resources at TDC rejected the proposal for various reasons, yet the same committee have now come up with a new proposal for the site, a proposal that the site does not have planning permission for.
Planning was for seven permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches. The grant of £842,000 awarded to TDC by the Homes and Communities Agency is still in the bank waiting to be used for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation or be returned to them. I was hopeful for the latter but unfortunately this has not occurred, nor is it likely to. Another proposal at the community and resources meeting was to develop four pitches at Derriton and to have some transient sites in the Bideford area.
As you can imagine that proposal was soon dealt with and rejected. TDC members won’t have a Gypsy and Traveller site in an area where the bulk of its electors reside especially with elections coming up in May this year.
At our council meeting on January 13, Councillor Morrish, leader of TDC, explained to Pyworthy Parish Council exactly what would happen regarding these new proposals in the near future. It would appear that the overview and scrutiny committee will review the proposal and make a decision on its future.
I don’t have an exact time scale for it but it appears that TDC have to commit by the end of March 2011 although an extension by the H&CA to June 2011 is possible but not a certainty.
During our discussions with TDC last year, we struggled to understand how the financial side of a seven-pitch development would stack up. Now it would appear that if a four-pitch site were developed at Derriton with no other accommodation on site, then only half the grant money can be used.
I don’t see how half a job can be done with half the money, unless of course you cut corners. Sheer rock face netting does not come cheap and can’t be compromised upon.
To sum up, I feel that TDC has let the parish of Pyworthy and its residents down by resurrecting this proposal and I can only hope that the grant of £842,000 is returned to the H&CA and this matter will be brought to a speedy end.
I urge the residents of Pyworthy and its surrounding areas to contact their district council and let them know their feelings and opinions on this matter.
ANDREW PARRISH,
Chairman Pyworthy Parish Council.
C4 Gypsy film prompts complaints
A Channel 4 documentary about bare-knuckle fighting in the traveller community has prompted complaints about animal cruelty and child abuse.
Ofcom received 289 complaints about Gypsy Blood, which aired last week. C4 also received a number of complaints.
A spokesman for the TV watchdog said the complaints were being assessed.
A C4 statement said scenes that showed cock-fighting and dogs attacking deer were included to "accurately reflect the experiences of the film-maker".
Directed by Leo Maguire, Gypsy Blood - part of the True Stories series - was seen by more than 2m viewers.
'Justified'
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "To accurately reflect the experiences of the film-maker who spent years documenting the culture of two Gypsy families, including hunting and fighting, some scenes were included that viewers may have found difficult to watch but were justified in context."
"The programme was preceded by on air warnings and appropriately scheduled."
Animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, said they would also be making an official complaint.
"The RSPCA has now begun an investigation into activities shown in the programme," a statement said.
"We would urge anyone who shares our concern at the programme's content to also contact Channel 4 and Ofcom to register their disapproval."
Ofcom received 289 complaints about Gypsy Blood, which aired last week. C4 also received a number of complaints.
A spokesman for the TV watchdog said the complaints were being assessed.
A C4 statement said scenes that showed cock-fighting and dogs attacking deer were included to "accurately reflect the experiences of the film-maker".
Directed by Leo Maguire, Gypsy Blood - part of the True Stories series - was seen by more than 2m viewers.
'Justified'
A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "To accurately reflect the experiences of the film-maker who spent years documenting the culture of two Gypsy families, including hunting and fighting, some scenes were included that viewers may have found difficult to watch but were justified in context."
"The programme was preceded by on air warnings and appropriately scheduled."
Animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, said they would also be making an official complaint.
"The RSPCA has now begun an investigation into activities shown in the programme," a statement said.
"We would urge anyone who shares our concern at the programme's content to also contact Channel 4 and Ofcom to register their disapproval."
WEST DORSET: Gypsy sites dropped
Four locations in Weymouth and West Dorset have been dropped from the consultation into Gypsy and Traveller sites.
The exercise continues until next month to identify adequate sites for the county’s gypsy and traveller populations.
Comments on the proposals can be made via the dorsetforyou.com website.
The locations which have been dropped are South Buckland Farm, Coldharbour; the former petrol station at Wardon Hill, Evershot; a site at Three Gates, Leigh, and Wintergreen Barn, Beaminster.
The exercise continues until next month to identify adequate sites for the county’s gypsy and traveller populations.
Comments on the proposals can be made via the dorsetforyou.com website.
The locations which have been dropped are South Buckland Farm, Coldharbour; the former petrol station at Wardon Hill, Evershot; a site at Three Gates, Leigh, and Wintergreen Barn, Beaminster.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Gipsy and Traveller site bid rejected in Mickle Trafford - Flintshire
A TEMPORARY Gypsy and Traveller site in the Green Belt has been refused planning permission.
The site at Whitegate Stables in Plemstall Lane, Mickle Trafford, was granted temporary consent in 2008 for five caravans, a cess pool, hard standing and a utility block.
The site was extended to accommodate a further five caravans following an appeal in 2009.
After both permissions expired last October the applicant applied for a change of use of the land on a permanent basis.
The application also sought planning permission for an amenity block which has been built on a significantly larger scale than permitted.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the officer’s recommendation to refuse the application.
Members agreed that the scheme - which is three times larger than that approved in 2008 - is an inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
Councillor Stuart Parker said: “Given that the council has not yet got its Gypsy and Traveller sites in place, I can see facilities such as these are required.
“But for this amenity block to have grown at such a rate has caused significant concern among local residents. It is large enough to serve 100 caravans.”
Cllr Parker added that if Travellers wanted to move into our communities then they should be prepared to abide by the same planning rules as local residents.
The council is currently engaged in the proposed provision of official Gypsy and Traveller sites across the borough.
The site at Whitegate Stables in Plemstall Lane, Mickle Trafford, was granted temporary consent in 2008 for five caravans, a cess pool, hard standing and a utility block.
The site was extended to accommodate a further five caravans following an appeal in 2009.
After both permissions expired last October the applicant applied for a change of use of the land on a permanent basis.
The application also sought planning permission for an amenity block which has been built on a significantly larger scale than permitted.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the officer’s recommendation to refuse the application.
Members agreed that the scheme - which is three times larger than that approved in 2008 - is an inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
Councillor Stuart Parker said: “Given that the council has not yet got its Gypsy and Traveller sites in place, I can see facilities such as these are required.
“But for this amenity block to have grown at such a rate has caused significant concern among local residents. It is large enough to serve 100 caravans.”
Cllr Parker added that if Travellers wanted to move into our communities then they should be prepared to abide by the same planning rules as local residents.
The council is currently engaged in the proposed provision of official Gypsy and Traveller sites across the borough.
Worcestershire Gypsy Roma children write about their lives
A book by children from the Gypsy Roma and Traveller communities is to be sent to all Worcestershire primary schools.
The Gypsy Roma Traveller education team said they hoped the book would help promote a "more positive image" of the county's largest ethnic minority.
John Edwards, from the county council, said: "It is a credit to the determination of these young writers to break down barriers."
The illustrated book is called A Kushtie Place To Live.
County Hall launch
The 15 children who wrote the book, aged from five to 14, come from the Waterside Park caravan site in Worcester, which is run by the county council.
Worcestershire County Council said it had 1,235 children Gypsy Roma and Traveller children on its register who were aged between four and 19 years and knew of at least another 250 under the age of four.
The council said it knew there were a "huge number" who were living in Worcestershire and feared discrimination so much they were not willing to state their true ethnicity.
Mr Edwards said: "This book has come about because children from the Gypsy Roma Traveller community wanted to tell the rest of the county about their lives."
The book, which took two years to produce, will be launched at County Hall in Worcester later.
The Gypsy Roma Traveller education team said they hoped the book would help promote a "more positive image" of the county's largest ethnic minority.
John Edwards, from the county council, said: "It is a credit to the determination of these young writers to break down barriers."
The illustrated book is called A Kushtie Place To Live.
County Hall launch
The 15 children who wrote the book, aged from five to 14, come from the Waterside Park caravan site in Worcester, which is run by the county council.
Worcestershire County Council said it had 1,235 children Gypsy Roma and Traveller children on its register who were aged between four and 19 years and knew of at least another 250 under the age of four.
The council said it knew there were a "huge number" who were living in Worcestershire and feared discrimination so much they were not willing to state their true ethnicity.
Mr Edwards said: "This book has come about because children from the Gypsy Roma Traveller community wanted to tell the rest of the county about their lives."
The book, which took two years to produce, will be launched at County Hall in Worcester later.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Man denies Traveller site double murder - Basildon
A MAN has denied blasting two Southend men to death on a Traveller site.
Christopher Line, 28, who grew up in Basildon, appeared at Southwark Crown Court.
He denied one count each of murdering Shane Hill, 21, from Stromness Road, Southend, and David Castell, 29, of no fixed abode, who was living in Southend at the time of his death.
The two men were found dead just after 10pm on March 15 last year at Willow Park traveller site in Beck Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Mr Castell was found dead in a burnt out vehicle, while Mr Castell was on the floor nearby.
A post mortem found the pair died from gun shot wounds.
Line, of Willow Park, Beck Row, Mildenhall, was remanded in custody and faces trial in June.
The case was transferred from Ipswich Crown Court ahead of yesterday’s hearing to Southwark so it can be heard by Mr Justice Saunders, a High Court judge, due to the severity of the allegations.
Sam Vinden, 38, formely of Oak Lane, Crays Hill, who also lives at Willow Park, Mildenahall, was arrested on suspicion of the murders last year.
He remains on police bail until next month.
Christopher Line, 28, who grew up in Basildon, appeared at Southwark Crown Court.
He denied one count each of murdering Shane Hill, 21, from Stromness Road, Southend, and David Castell, 29, of no fixed abode, who was living in Southend at the time of his death.
The two men were found dead just after 10pm on March 15 last year at Willow Park traveller site in Beck Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Mr Castell was found dead in a burnt out vehicle, while Mr Castell was on the floor nearby.
A post mortem found the pair died from gun shot wounds.
Line, of Willow Park, Beck Row, Mildenhall, was remanded in custody and faces trial in June.
The case was transferred from Ipswich Crown Court ahead of yesterday’s hearing to Southwark so it can be heard by Mr Justice Saunders, a High Court judge, due to the severity of the allegations.
Sam Vinden, 38, formely of Oak Lane, Crays Hill, who also lives at Willow Park, Mildenahall, was arrested on suspicion of the murders last year.
He remains on police bail until next month.
Concerns over caravan - Yorkshire
PARISH councillors have called on East Riding of Yorkshire Council to speed up plans to remove a Gypsy from a site in Nafferton after he lost his appeal to stay there permanently over five months ago.
Last August Irish Traveller Anthony Quinn lost his planning appeal to site a caravan permanently and build a stable block on his own land on Back Carr Lane.
Mr Quinn was told by East Riding of Yorkshire Council planners that the development would harm the appearance of the countryside and the site was unsuitable for its proposed use, while the area’s need for Gypsy sites was low.
But several villagers have now contacted the Parish Council and the ERYC, concerned that Mr Quinn is still occupying the site despite having been given three months notice to leave.
In a letter sent to the Parish Council, which was read out at their latest meeting, John and Christopher Wresdell claimed that Mr Quinn is using nearby waterways to dispose of the contents of his chemical toilet.
“For the record the latest misdemeanour committed by Mr Quinn and his family is that they are now tipping the contents of their chemical toilet into any convenient dyke on the roadside between Back Carr Lane and Outgates Farm.
“There is also a dog howling regularly most nights and the generator noise appears erratic at the moment,” they said.
The meeting also heard Paul Burkinshaw, of Lowthorpe Lane, contacted ERYC to ask why the enforcement process had not begun and was told by Graham Carver, planning enforcement officer, the matter was being dealt with.
But Mr Burkinshaw is concerned that once an enforcement notice is issued it could take up to a year before the site is vacated.
“What is of concern is Mr Carver indicated that the time scale that could be given can be up to a year which I am sure you will agree would be totally unacceptable and agree that the shortest time scale possible should be given.
“I am not sure exactly how long Mr Quinn has unlawfully been living in the field but it must be a few years now and it is about time that the matter was dealt with and done so promptly,” Mr Burkinshaw said.
In response to Mr Burkinshaw’s concerns Mr Carver said they had sought advice from the council’s legal section and were awaiting welfare checks on the occupants of the caravans before any action can be taken.
Mr Carver said such checks had to be carried out otherwise the council could “fall foul if an appeal is raised by Mr Quinn and possibly a public enquiry.”
“I have asked our housing section to make the necessary checks and I am waiting for their response. As soon as we are able, we will continue with the notice which is now with the planners,” Mr Carver added.
Nafferton Parish Council will contact the Environment agency about the alleged use of waterways for the disposal of toilet waste.
It will also send all the correspondence from villagers to ERYC and Couns Jane Evison and Jonathan Owen to ask them to put pressure on council officers to resolve the issue quickly.
Last August Irish Traveller Anthony Quinn lost his planning appeal to site a caravan permanently and build a stable block on his own land on Back Carr Lane.
Mr Quinn was told by East Riding of Yorkshire Council planners that the development would harm the appearance of the countryside and the site was unsuitable for its proposed use, while the area’s need for Gypsy sites was low.
But several villagers have now contacted the Parish Council and the ERYC, concerned that Mr Quinn is still occupying the site despite having been given three months notice to leave.
In a letter sent to the Parish Council, which was read out at their latest meeting, John and Christopher Wresdell claimed that Mr Quinn is using nearby waterways to dispose of the contents of his chemical toilet.
“For the record the latest misdemeanour committed by Mr Quinn and his family is that they are now tipping the contents of their chemical toilet into any convenient dyke on the roadside between Back Carr Lane and Outgates Farm.
“There is also a dog howling regularly most nights and the generator noise appears erratic at the moment,” they said.
The meeting also heard Paul Burkinshaw, of Lowthorpe Lane, contacted ERYC to ask why the enforcement process had not begun and was told by Graham Carver, planning enforcement officer, the matter was being dealt with.
But Mr Burkinshaw is concerned that once an enforcement notice is issued it could take up to a year before the site is vacated.
“What is of concern is Mr Carver indicated that the time scale that could be given can be up to a year which I am sure you will agree would be totally unacceptable and agree that the shortest time scale possible should be given.
“I am not sure exactly how long Mr Quinn has unlawfully been living in the field but it must be a few years now and it is about time that the matter was dealt with and done so promptly,” Mr Burkinshaw said.
In response to Mr Burkinshaw’s concerns Mr Carver said they had sought advice from the council’s legal section and were awaiting welfare checks on the occupants of the caravans before any action can be taken.
Mr Carver said such checks had to be carried out otherwise the council could “fall foul if an appeal is raised by Mr Quinn and possibly a public enquiry.”
“I have asked our housing section to make the necessary checks and I am waiting for their response. As soon as we are able, we will continue with the notice which is now with the planners,” Mr Carver added.
Nafferton Parish Council will contact the Environment agency about the alleged use of waterways for the disposal of toilet waste.
It will also send all the correspondence from villagers to ERYC and Couns Jane Evison and Jonathan Owen to ask them to put pressure on council officers to resolve the issue quickly.
Funds Awarded for Travellers Pitches in Weston-super-Mare
TWO Travellers pitches are to be created in Weston-super-Mare after Government funding was granted.
The Homes and Communities Agency announced that it has granted North Somerset Council £134,000 to provide two additional pitches at the Willowmead site in Weston-super-Mare.
This will allow some vacant land on this well established Gypsy/Traveller residential site to be developed, subject to planning permission being granted
It will also help to meet the demand for pitches from residents already living in North Somerset.
Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council's deputy leader and executive member for housing welcomed the successful bid.
He said: "I am pleased that we have secured this funding.
"There is a need within our local Gypsy/Traveller community for additional pitches and this money means we will be able to accommodate two more local families on an existing site.
"Willowmead has been successfully integrated into the wider local community now for many years and deserves the improvements that will come with this funding."
"It is also gratifying to see ministers acknowledging the work our officers have done in putting the bid together and the subsequent assessment process we went through."
North Somerset Council manages seven pitches across three sites, there are also a number of private sites across the district.
The Homes and Communities Agency announced that it has granted North Somerset Council £134,000 to provide two additional pitches at the Willowmead site in Weston-super-Mare.
This will allow some vacant land on this well established Gypsy/Traveller residential site to be developed, subject to planning permission being granted
It will also help to meet the demand for pitches from residents already living in North Somerset.
Elfan Ap Rees, North Somerset Council's deputy leader and executive member for housing welcomed the successful bid.
He said: "I am pleased that we have secured this funding.
"There is a need within our local Gypsy/Traveller community for additional pitches and this money means we will be able to accommodate two more local families on an existing site.
"Willowmead has been successfully integrated into the wider local community now for many years and deserves the improvements that will come with this funding."
"It is also gratifying to see ministers acknowledging the work our officers have done in putting the bid together and the subsequent assessment process we went through."
North Somerset Council manages seven pitches across three sites, there are also a number of private sites across the district.
Travellers' transit site planned for Peterborough
Peterborough residents are to be asked for their views on possible locations for a Travellers' transit site.
Councillors and residents in areas reportedly "blighted" by illegally-parked travellers have been lobbying for an official site for some time.
The Conservative-led city council has confirmed it will now set up an all-party committee to "determine the best location for a transit site".
The sites allow temporary residency for a limited number of travellers.
The authority's recommendations will then be put out to public consultation.
'Act quickly'
Independent councillor, John Fox, said: "We've got to look at all the bits of land the council has got and work it out on its merits.
"Obviously some people are going to be very upset, but it's got to go somewhere.
"Otherwise, all you're going to do is move the problem from one area to another."
Insp Dominic Glazebrook, from Cambridgeshire Police, said dealing with illegally-parked travellers in the city was "a persistent problem".
"Without a proper transit site it does make our job more difficult because we have nowhere to move them to," he said.
He said the police were aware that some travellers had chosen to make Peterborough their home and their children were enrolled at local schools.
"It's not actually fair on the travellers to have to move from place to place every two weeks," he said.
The city council did not indicate when the committee might be ready to make its recommendations, but a spokesman said: "We need to act quickly."
Councillors and residents in areas reportedly "blighted" by illegally-parked travellers have been lobbying for an official site for some time.
The Conservative-led city council has confirmed it will now set up an all-party committee to "determine the best location for a transit site".
The sites allow temporary residency for a limited number of travellers.
The authority's recommendations will then be put out to public consultation.
'Act quickly'
Independent councillor, John Fox, said: "We've got to look at all the bits of land the council has got and work it out on its merits.
"Obviously some people are going to be very upset, but it's got to go somewhere.
"Otherwise, all you're going to do is move the problem from one area to another."
Insp Dominic Glazebrook, from Cambridgeshire Police, said dealing with illegally-parked travellers in the city was "a persistent problem".
"Without a proper transit site it does make our job more difficult because we have nowhere to move them to," he said.
He said the police were aware that some travellers had chosen to make Peterborough their home and their children were enrolled at local schools.
"It's not actually fair on the travellers to have to move from place to place every two weeks," he said.
The city council did not indicate when the committee might be ready to make its recommendations, but a spokesman said: "We need to act quickly."
Temporary Gypsy and Traveller site in Mickle Trafford refused planning permission - Cheshire
A temporary Gypsy and Traveller site in the Green Belt has been refused planning permission.
The site at Whitegate Stables in Plemstall Lane, Mickle Trafford, was granted temporary consent in 2008 for five caravans, a cess pool, hard standing and a utility block.
The site was extended to accommodate a further five caravans following an appeal in 2009.
After both permissions expired last October the applicant applied for a change of use of the land on a permanent basis.
The application also sought planning permission for an amenity block which has been built on a significantly larger scale than permitted.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday unanimously voted in favour of the officer’s recommendation to refuse the application.
Members agreed that the scheme - which is three times larger than that approved in 2008 - is an inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
Local Councillor Stuart Parker said: “Given that the Council has not yet got its Gypsy and Traveller sites in place, I can see that facilities such as these are required.
“But for this amenity block to have grown at such a rate has caused significant concern among local residents. It is large enough to serve 100 caravans.”
Councillor Parker added that if travellers wanted to move into our communities then they should be prepared to abide by the same planning rules as local residents.
The Council is currently engaged in the proposed provision of official Gypsy and Traveller sites across the Borough.
The site at Whitegate Stables in Plemstall Lane, Mickle Trafford, was granted temporary consent in 2008 for five caravans, a cess pool, hard standing and a utility block.
The site was extended to accommodate a further five caravans following an appeal in 2009.
After both permissions expired last October the applicant applied for a change of use of the land on a permanent basis.
The application also sought planning permission for an amenity block which has been built on a significantly larger scale than permitted.
Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Planning Committee on Tuesday unanimously voted in favour of the officer’s recommendation to refuse the application.
Members agreed that the scheme - which is three times larger than that approved in 2008 - is an inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
Local Councillor Stuart Parker said: “Given that the Council has not yet got its Gypsy and Traveller sites in place, I can see that facilities such as these are required.
“But for this amenity block to have grown at such a rate has caused significant concern among local residents. It is large enough to serve 100 caravans.”
Councillor Parker added that if travellers wanted to move into our communities then they should be prepared to abide by the same planning rules as local residents.
The Council is currently engaged in the proposed provision of official Gypsy and Traveller sites across the Borough.
'Halt Erlin FarmTraveller's site plan' says councillor - Dorset
AN ANGRY councillor is calling for one of the proposed Bournemouth Traveller sites to be formally withdrawn because the land is not owned by the local authority.
Throop and Muscliff ward councillor Ron Whittaker said the Erlin Farm site should be removed from the list because it is completely unsuitable and incorrectly shown on consultation documents as being in council ownership.
More than 1,800 people signed petitions demanding that proposals for travellers’ sites near their homes and businesses should be scrapped.
Four sites in Bournemouth – three of them on green belt land – have been earmarked as possible sites following a county-wide review.
Three years ago nine councils in Dorset clubbed together to hire consultants Baker Associates to identify possible sites; an exercise which is costing council taxpayers £244,000.
Three of Bournemouth’s proposed sites are at Throop and Muscliff while the other fourth is near the Lansdowne.
Cllr Whittaker told the Daily Echo: “Erlin Farm should never have been included. It floods, it is grade one agricultural land, no footways can be constructed there and now we finally have confirmation that it is not in council ownership.”
Phil Robinson, planning policy manager at the council, said: “Baker’s Associates are still in the consultation period and it would be pre-emptive to suggest that this, or any of the other sites, should be withdrawn at this stage.
“The decision on which sites are going forward to the preferred option stage will be made by Baker’s Associates in the late spring or early summer and at that time, elected members will be able to decide which, if any, of the sites they wish to take forward.”
The consultation on all sites will continue until February 10.
Details of how to comment on the proposals are available on all the local councils’ websites.
Throop and Muscliff ward councillor Ron Whittaker said the Erlin Farm site should be removed from the list because it is completely unsuitable and incorrectly shown on consultation documents as being in council ownership.
More than 1,800 people signed petitions demanding that proposals for travellers’ sites near their homes and businesses should be scrapped.
Four sites in Bournemouth – three of them on green belt land – have been earmarked as possible sites following a county-wide review.
Three years ago nine councils in Dorset clubbed together to hire consultants Baker Associates to identify possible sites; an exercise which is costing council taxpayers £244,000.
Three of Bournemouth’s proposed sites are at Throop and Muscliff while the other fourth is near the Lansdowne.
Cllr Whittaker told the Daily Echo: “Erlin Farm should never have been included. It floods, it is grade one agricultural land, no footways can be constructed there and now we finally have confirmation that it is not in council ownership.”
Phil Robinson, planning policy manager at the council, said: “Baker’s Associates are still in the consultation period and it would be pre-emptive to suggest that this, or any of the other sites, should be withdrawn at this stage.
“The decision on which sites are going forward to the preferred option stage will be made by Baker’s Associates in the late spring or early summer and at that time, elected members will be able to decide which, if any, of the sites they wish to take forward.”
The consultation on all sites will continue until February 10.
Details of how to comment on the proposals are available on all the local councils’ websites.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Traveller Missy MacMillan on Channel 4's My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
The television show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding has been criticised for misrepresenting the travelling community in the UK.
Missy MacMillan is a Traveller from Edinburgh. She tells BBC Radio 5 live that the programme bears no resemblance to her life.
"A lot of people are so quick to judge," MacMillan explains to Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty.
"They actually don't know a lot about our culture."
Missy MacMillan is a Traveller from Edinburgh. She tells BBC Radio 5 live that the programme bears no resemblance to her life.
"A lot of people are so quick to judge," MacMillan explains to Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty.
"They actually don't know a lot about our culture."
Travellers now facing fresh eviction notices - Basildon
EVICTION notices are set to be served on Travellers living at the overcrowded legal site at Dale Farm “within weeks”.
Several families who left Dale Farm, at Crays Hill, during the eviction in October have pulled on to vacant legal pitches and also in the road alongside, where they are not permitted to stay.
Maximum occupancy levels are now thought to be being breached on the site. Basildon Council planning officers yesterday carried out a survey to check the numbers on the legal site and said action is due to take place imminently.
Basildon Council leader Tony Ball said: “We are aware of breaches of conditions at the legal Oak Lane site and breaches on the roadside. Preparations for enforcement are under way. The serving of any enforcement papers would be weeks, rather than months.
“Enforcement notices are also being prepared for outstanding breaches at the illegal Dale Farm site and are due to be served by the end of the month.”
The council used a six-monthly Traveller count, which all authorities must undertake, to check the caravans at Oak Lane. The figures will be published shortly.
Mr Ball added: “The council remains committed to returning Dale Farm to a site in keeping with its green belt status and recovering the costs of the operation.”
Neighbours who are fed up with the overcrowded legal site have called for action.
David McPherson-Davis, a parish councillor, said: “We were given no date of when the action will be taken over the legal site.
“They don’t seem to be in any hurry at the moment. Hopefully, now the count has been carried out, enforcement notices will be served, so there are no more planning breaches.”
Len Gridley, 53, from Oak Road, said: “It was decided if we don’t get any answers by the end of the month we will call a meeting with the MP John Baron.”
Several families who left Dale Farm, at Crays Hill, during the eviction in October have pulled on to vacant legal pitches and also in the road alongside, where they are not permitted to stay.
Maximum occupancy levels are now thought to be being breached on the site. Basildon Council planning officers yesterday carried out a survey to check the numbers on the legal site and said action is due to take place imminently.
Basildon Council leader Tony Ball said: “We are aware of breaches of conditions at the legal Oak Lane site and breaches on the roadside. Preparations for enforcement are under way. The serving of any enforcement papers would be weeks, rather than months.
“Enforcement notices are also being prepared for outstanding breaches at the illegal Dale Farm site and are due to be served by the end of the month.”
The council used a six-monthly Traveller count, which all authorities must undertake, to check the caravans at Oak Lane. The figures will be published shortly.
Mr Ball added: “The council remains committed to returning Dale Farm to a site in keeping with its green belt status and recovering the costs of the operation.”
Neighbours who are fed up with the overcrowded legal site have called for action.
David McPherson-Davis, a parish councillor, said: “We were given no date of when the action will be taken over the legal site.
“They don’t seem to be in any hurry at the moment. Hopefully, now the count has been carried out, enforcement notices will be served, so there are no more planning breaches.”
Len Gridley, 53, from Oak Road, said: “It was decided if we don’t get any answers by the end of the month we will call a meeting with the MP John Baron.”
How we’ll avoid a repeat of Dale Farm - Basildon
A NEW Essex-wide group is being set up to help improve travellers’ lives and save taxpayers’ cash.
Essex County Council is spearheading a move to set up the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit.
The new group will be a multi-agency team involving councils, police, firefighters and health and education experts, which will focus on addressing issues on Traveller sites throughout Essex.
This will include regular visits from fire crews to improve awareness and safety on sites, following concerns about the huge number of fires that break out.
There are also plans to offer education classes on sites to address the number of Traveller children pulled out of the school system at a young age. Parents could also be allowed to sit in on these classes.
John Jowers, county councillor responsible for communities and planning, who is leading the group, said it was important not to change the Traveller culture, but to improve the chance of children.
He said: “Our view is that it’s better to take education into the site. We can’t change their culture but obviously we believe it is still very important.”
John Jowers, county councillor responsible for communities and planning, who is leading the new group, said: “It is just common sense.
“We have copied a model from Northamptonshire County Council which has proved hugely successful there. We are basically saying we don’t want another Dale Farm.”
The team will look at the management of Essex County Council’s Traveller sites, while also establishing a clear and consistent approach to managing unauthorised camps, he said.
Mr Jowers said plans were already in motion before the Dale Farm eviction, but it was now even more important that measures were put in place to prevent a similar situation.
He added: “With a few councils it will be a budget issue, so we will not get confirmation of all participants until April, but the feedback so far has been excellent.”
Mr Jowers said he had already visited the Hovefields site in Wickford, where talks were “really positive and Travellers seemed to be happy with the idea”.
Mr Jowers said the implications for people living near Traveller sites would be positive, as they would be able to access more information about what might be going on at the sites.
Councils and organisations that join the group will jointly fund the group and it is expected to cost councils about £7,000 a year. However, councils are yet to sign up to the new unit.
Basildon, who had Dale Farm on its patch, and Southend are still to decide whether to spend the money and join the group.
However, Rochford Council has signed up for three years at a cost of about £22,000.
Keith Hudson, councillor responsible for planning and transport, said the council was very enthusiastic about the scheme, but stressed the authority would retain control over decisions regarding sites.
He added: “It seems to make a lot of sense to put the whole thing under one umbrella so there is consistency across all bodies and across the county.”
Essex County Council is spearheading a move to set up the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit.
The new group will be a multi-agency team involving councils, police, firefighters and health and education experts, which will focus on addressing issues on Traveller sites throughout Essex.
This will include regular visits from fire crews to improve awareness and safety on sites, following concerns about the huge number of fires that break out.
There are also plans to offer education classes on sites to address the number of Traveller children pulled out of the school system at a young age. Parents could also be allowed to sit in on these classes.
John Jowers, county councillor responsible for communities and planning, who is leading the group, said it was important not to change the Traveller culture, but to improve the chance of children.
He said: “Our view is that it’s better to take education into the site. We can’t change their culture but obviously we believe it is still very important.”
John Jowers, county councillor responsible for communities and planning, who is leading the new group, said: “It is just common sense.
“We have copied a model from Northamptonshire County Council which has proved hugely successful there. We are basically saying we don’t want another Dale Farm.”
The team will look at the management of Essex County Council’s Traveller sites, while also establishing a clear and consistent approach to managing unauthorised camps, he said.
Mr Jowers said plans were already in motion before the Dale Farm eviction, but it was now even more important that measures were put in place to prevent a similar situation.
He added: “With a few councils it will be a budget issue, so we will not get confirmation of all participants until April, but the feedback so far has been excellent.”
Mr Jowers said he had already visited the Hovefields site in Wickford, where talks were “really positive and Travellers seemed to be happy with the idea”.
Mr Jowers said the implications for people living near Traveller sites would be positive, as they would be able to access more information about what might be going on at the sites.
Councils and organisations that join the group will jointly fund the group and it is expected to cost councils about £7,000 a year. However, councils are yet to sign up to the new unit.
Basildon, who had Dale Farm on its patch, and Southend are still to decide whether to spend the money and join the group.
However, Rochford Council has signed up for three years at a cost of about £22,000.
Keith Hudson, councillor responsible for planning and transport, said the council was very enthusiastic about the scheme, but stressed the authority would retain control over decisions regarding sites.
He added: “It seems to make a lot of sense to put the whole thing under one umbrella so there is consistency across all bodies and across the county.”
£70k cost to stop travellers... and rising! - Leighton Buzzard
A COUNCIL has vowed to continue paying for security to blockade a green belt site in Heath and Reach to prevent Travellers from taking up residence.
Central Beds Council say they will bar access to the field, off Mile Tree Road, for as long as it takes to prevent the land becoming another “Dale Farm.” Their commitment is so firm that the authority is now going out to tender to find a security company willing to take on the contract.
Central Beds Councillor Mark Versallion, who represents Heath and Reach, denied that the move would set a precedent that could see other sites being protected from Travellers illegally setting up home.
So far nearly £70,000 has been spent in costs and expenses.
Central Beds Council say they will bar access to the field, off Mile Tree Road, for as long as it takes to prevent the land becoming another “Dale Farm.” Their commitment is so firm that the authority is now going out to tender to find a security company willing to take on the contract.
Central Beds Councillor Mark Versallion, who represents Heath and Reach, denied that the move would set a precedent that could see other sites being protected from Travellers illegally setting up home.
So far nearly £70,000 has been spent in costs and expenses.
Wyre Forest Tories oppose new potential Gypsy sites - Kidderminster
THE leader of Wyre Forest District Council is against the three new sites suggested for Gypsy and Traveller use.
John Campion says he and the Conservative Group he leads on the district council believe further consultation on land at Clows Top garage, the former Yieldingtree Packing site near Blakedown and Hoobrook Trading Estate in Kidderminster would cause “unnecessary worry” to residents.
The Tory group is also opposed to the Local Development Framework (LDF) panel’s recommendation to include land at Wilden Lane, north of the Sandy Lane industrial estate in Stourport in a six-week public consultation.
Mr Campion said: “We are cognisant of the unnecessary worry that could be caused to some communities by these sites being suggested by the LDF panel. We are at this early stage stating that we will not support these sites through the democratic process when they are discussed later this month.
“We believe that the immediate identified need can be met through regularising existing and pending sites within Sandy Lane Industrial Estate. This will give the council time to conduct a further needs assessment to help us plan for numbers post 2017.”
Conservative councillor for Mitton ward, John Holden said: “We have a long history of settled Gypsy and Travellers living within the ward and we support the sites currently being used to be legalised which in turn will help the council meet its overall numbers. This is not about identifying new areas outside of the Sandy Lane Industrial estate.”
Independent councillor, Peter Dyke, says his group is also opposed to consultation on the site at Hoobrook Trading Estate. “This site was never mentioned in the original Baker report as being suitable and had never even come up in any debate that we are aware of until last Monday's meeting,” he said. “We know that the proposal to recommend this site to scrutiny was supported by Labour, Conservative and Independent and Community Health Concern Councillors on the panel,” he explained.
His wife, Independent councillor Helen Dyke said: "As a member of the scrutiny committee I will participate in the meeting with an open and fair mind as I always do when all sites are debated but as a ward councillor for Aggborough and Spennells, which includes Hoobrook Trading Estate, I will, of course, be representing residents within my ward as would every other councillor.
“I must also admit to being very confused as to the position of the Conservative Group on these recommendations. Councillor Campion says that his group are not predisposed to support these extra recommendations and of course we would welcome this good news if true but why then did Conservative councillors support them last Monday and set the whole thing in motion? The whole thing just seems one big muddle.”
John Campion says he and the Conservative Group he leads on the district council believe further consultation on land at Clows Top garage, the former Yieldingtree Packing site near Blakedown and Hoobrook Trading Estate in Kidderminster would cause “unnecessary worry” to residents.
The Tory group is also opposed to the Local Development Framework (LDF) panel’s recommendation to include land at Wilden Lane, north of the Sandy Lane industrial estate in Stourport in a six-week public consultation.
Mr Campion said: “We are cognisant of the unnecessary worry that could be caused to some communities by these sites being suggested by the LDF panel. We are at this early stage stating that we will not support these sites through the democratic process when they are discussed later this month.
“We believe that the immediate identified need can be met through regularising existing and pending sites within Sandy Lane Industrial Estate. This will give the council time to conduct a further needs assessment to help us plan for numbers post 2017.”
Conservative councillor for Mitton ward, John Holden said: “We have a long history of settled Gypsy and Travellers living within the ward and we support the sites currently being used to be legalised which in turn will help the council meet its overall numbers. This is not about identifying new areas outside of the Sandy Lane Industrial estate.”
Independent councillor, Peter Dyke, says his group is also opposed to consultation on the site at Hoobrook Trading Estate. “This site was never mentioned in the original Baker report as being suitable and had never even come up in any debate that we are aware of until last Monday's meeting,” he said. “We know that the proposal to recommend this site to scrutiny was supported by Labour, Conservative and Independent and Community Health Concern Councillors on the panel,” he explained.
His wife, Independent councillor Helen Dyke said: "As a member of the scrutiny committee I will participate in the meeting with an open and fair mind as I always do when all sites are debated but as a ward councillor for Aggborough and Spennells, which includes Hoobrook Trading Estate, I will, of course, be representing residents within my ward as would every other councillor.
“I must also admit to being very confused as to the position of the Conservative Group on these recommendations. Councillor Campion says that his group are not predisposed to support these extra recommendations and of course we would welcome this good news if true but why then did Conservative councillors support them last Monday and set the whole thing in motion? The whole thing just seems one big muddle.”
Monday, 23 January 2012
Gypsies and Travellers left out in the cold as UK celebrates Olympic flame.
An Investigation by The Traveller’s Times can reveal that Gypsies and Travellers are in danger of being excluded from the volunteers who will carry the Olympic flame to the opening of the Olympic Games – making a mockery of the organising committee’s promise that the London Olympics 2012 will be “the most diverse ever”.
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) says that The Olympic Torch Relay will be made up of 8,000 community champions who “will reflect the diversity of life in the UK”. Yet a spokesperson from LOCOG has admitted that they haven’t got a clue how many torch bearers there are from each of the UK’s ethnic groups –or whether some ethnic groups – like the UK’s Gypsy and Traveller communities – will be left out in the cold.
“Forcibly moved”
The Traveller’s Times is aware of only one young Irish Traveller woman; Bridey Purcell, 14, from an unauthorized site in Greenwich, who was put forward to carry the Olympic Flame – yet she was not chosen by the organizers.
Ms Purcell’s mum explains what happened: “Bridey was nominated by Yvonne McNamara from the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain. LOCOG then sent her an email saying that she had been nominated, then another asking when she was available to take part, telling her what tracksuit she was going to wear and things like that. We thought she had been picked, but just before Christmas we got another email saying that she had been turned down. It was a big disappointment as we had really got our hopes up.”
Yvonne McNamara explains why Bridey was put forward:
“Bridey is one of the most talented, driven, ambitious and creative young woman I have ever met,” says Ms McNamara. “She is also an extremely effective campaigner and volunteer who shares her time and skills with a wide range of community groups as well as with her own community,” she says. “Gypsy Traveller and Roma young people get written off more often than not by local authorities, but here is an excellent example of a young Traveller woman who puts her heart and soul into making society a better place for all of us despite the fact that society has not been fair to her family or her community,” she says. “I nominated Bridey because she deserved to carry that torch and we are gutted that LOCOG decided not to give her this opportunity. It would have been fantastic to see a member of the GRT community included and represented along with all the other BAME groups.”
This will add to the woes inflicted on the Gypsy and Traveller communities by the London Olympics – with many Travellers forcibly moved from established legal sites to make way for the building of the Olympic stadium in Stratford, East London.
“Involving a broad mix of communities?”
Further investigations by the Traveller’s Times has found out that normally, a public body organising such a big national event like the Olympic Torch Relay must include ways of ensuring that all ethnic groups can take part if they want, but because LOCOG is a private business, it can flout those rules with impunity.
Although a spokesperson from LOCOG claimed that “Guidance was given to remind those on the (selecting) panels of the importance of involving a broad mix of communities in the Torch Relay”, The Traveller’s Times can reveal that there was no monitoring process in place to ensure that this was happening as the torch bearers were being picked. Instead, LOCOG will wait until ‘the relay team is in place’ before it bothers to find out which ethnic communities are represented – and which are not.
“Institutionally racist?”
The Traveller’s Times also asked LOCOG if that meant that the selection process was institutionally racist because it failed to monitor LOCOG’s own ethnic inclusion strategy – but LOCOG declined to reply to our question.
So as many of the nation’s different cultures and ethnicities celebrate the opening of the games, Ms Purcell – and all of the Traveller’s she was going to represent - or will have been there to cheer her on - will be left to watch the big party on TV.
Read about Bridey Purcell in our interview in Spring’s edition of the Young Traveller’s Times Magazine. LOCOG may not have picked her – but to us at the Traveller’s Times she is one big community champion who helps to keep the
The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG) says that The Olympic Torch Relay will be made up of 8,000 community champions who “will reflect the diversity of life in the UK”. Yet a spokesperson from LOCOG has admitted that they haven’t got a clue how many torch bearers there are from each of the UK’s ethnic groups –or whether some ethnic groups – like the UK’s Gypsy and Traveller communities – will be left out in the cold.
“Forcibly moved”
The Traveller’s Times is aware of only one young Irish Traveller woman; Bridey Purcell, 14, from an unauthorized site in Greenwich, who was put forward to carry the Olympic Flame – yet she was not chosen by the organizers.
Ms Purcell’s mum explains what happened: “Bridey was nominated by Yvonne McNamara from the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain. LOCOG then sent her an email saying that she had been nominated, then another asking when she was available to take part, telling her what tracksuit she was going to wear and things like that. We thought she had been picked, but just before Christmas we got another email saying that she had been turned down. It was a big disappointment as we had really got our hopes up.”
Yvonne McNamara explains why Bridey was put forward:
“Bridey is one of the most talented, driven, ambitious and creative young woman I have ever met,” says Ms McNamara. “She is also an extremely effective campaigner and volunteer who shares her time and skills with a wide range of community groups as well as with her own community,” she says. “Gypsy Traveller and Roma young people get written off more often than not by local authorities, but here is an excellent example of a young Traveller woman who puts her heart and soul into making society a better place for all of us despite the fact that society has not been fair to her family or her community,” she says. “I nominated Bridey because she deserved to carry that torch and we are gutted that LOCOG decided not to give her this opportunity. It would have been fantastic to see a member of the GRT community included and represented along with all the other BAME groups.”
This will add to the woes inflicted on the Gypsy and Traveller communities by the London Olympics – with many Travellers forcibly moved from established legal sites to make way for the building of the Olympic stadium in Stratford, East London.
“Involving a broad mix of communities?”
Further investigations by the Traveller’s Times has found out that normally, a public body organising such a big national event like the Olympic Torch Relay must include ways of ensuring that all ethnic groups can take part if they want, but because LOCOG is a private business, it can flout those rules with impunity.
Although a spokesperson from LOCOG claimed that “Guidance was given to remind those on the (selecting) panels of the importance of involving a broad mix of communities in the Torch Relay”, The Traveller’s Times can reveal that there was no monitoring process in place to ensure that this was happening as the torch bearers were being picked. Instead, LOCOG will wait until ‘the relay team is in place’ before it bothers to find out which ethnic communities are represented – and which are not.
“Institutionally racist?”
The Traveller’s Times also asked LOCOG if that meant that the selection process was institutionally racist because it failed to monitor LOCOG’s own ethnic inclusion strategy – but LOCOG declined to reply to our question.
So as many of the nation’s different cultures and ethnicities celebrate the opening of the games, Ms Purcell – and all of the Traveller’s she was going to represent - or will have been there to cheer her on - will be left to watch the big party on TV.
Read about Bridey Purcell in our interview in Spring’s edition of the Young Traveller’s Times Magazine. LOCOG may not have picked her – but to us at the Traveller’s Times she is one big community champion who helps to keep the
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Barbara Cartland's Gypsy site fights plans for waste plant
Barbara Cartland's son yesterday continued a battle fought by his late mother by leading efforts to save Britain's first permanent Gypsy site, which she established 40 years ago.
The site, named Barbaraville in honour of the novelist, is under threat from plans for a composting plant just a few paces from the residents' front doors. Campaigners say the stench from the plant means it should not be within half a mile of any homes.
Barbaraville, whose well-tended mobile homes have housed the same families for three generations, is a far cry from the Travellers' sites often accused of blighting communities.
Priscilla Davis, 70, has lived at the site near Hatfield, Herts, since its inception in 1964 and brought up her four daughters, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren there.
She said: "Barbara Cartland was our true friend. She stuck with us through thick and thin and started a campaign for us to have somewhere to live. It was all due to her."
Mrs Cartland's son, Ian McCorquodale, who succeeded his mother as a trustee of the charity that runs Barbaraville, said: "There was no chance of education or medical care and my mother thought it was unjust, inhumane and unfair.
"She would have been absolutely horrified that there was going to be this tremendous waste disposal works right next door."
The proposed plant will process more than 60,000 tons of kitchen waste a year, which will then be spread on to the fields to decompose.
Lisa Johnson, 27, Mrs Davis's granddaughter, who has two young children, said: "I'm worried that it won't be a safe environment to bring up my children. They won't be able to play outside and we won't be able to open our windows."
Grant Shapps, the area's Conservative MP, organised a protest yesterday and said: "These are hard-working people who pay their taxes and are being treated as second-class citizens."
A spokesman for Thames Water said: "The proposed recycling plant would provide a sustainable way of reducing the amount of waste that Hertfordshire sends to landfill.
"We will do everything we can to run the plant without affecting residents in the immediate area. Much of the composting process would be carried out indoors, and odour control units would be used to stop smells escaping."
The site, named Barbaraville in honour of the novelist, is under threat from plans for a composting plant just a few paces from the residents' front doors. Campaigners say the stench from the plant means it should not be within half a mile of any homes.
Barbaraville, whose well-tended mobile homes have housed the same families for three generations, is a far cry from the Travellers' sites often accused of blighting communities.
Priscilla Davis, 70, has lived at the site near Hatfield, Herts, since its inception in 1964 and brought up her four daughters, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren there.
She said: "Barbara Cartland was our true friend. She stuck with us through thick and thin and started a campaign for us to have somewhere to live. It was all due to her."
Mrs Cartland's son, Ian McCorquodale, who succeeded his mother as a trustee of the charity that runs Barbaraville, said: "There was no chance of education or medical care and my mother thought it was unjust, inhumane and unfair.
"She would have been absolutely horrified that there was going to be this tremendous waste disposal works right next door."
The proposed plant will process more than 60,000 tons of kitchen waste a year, which will then be spread on to the fields to decompose.
Lisa Johnson, 27, Mrs Davis's granddaughter, who has two young children, said: "I'm worried that it won't be a safe environment to bring up my children. They won't be able to play outside and we won't be able to open our windows."
Grant Shapps, the area's Conservative MP, organised a protest yesterday and said: "These are hard-working people who pay their taxes and are being treated as second-class citizens."
A spokesman for Thames Water said: "The proposed recycling plant would provide a sustainable way of reducing the amount of waste that Hertfordshire sends to landfill.
"We will do everything we can to run the plant without affecting residents in the immediate area. Much of the composting process would be carried out indoors, and odour control units would be used to stop smells escaping."
Three more Wyre Forest sites to be considered for Travellers - Kidderminster
ANOTHER three Wyre Forest sites are being considered for Gypsy and Traveller use.
Plots at Clows Top Garage and the former Yieldingtree Packing site at Hackman’s Gate off the A450 could become home to travelling Showpeople, while a site at Hoobrook Trading Estate in Kidderminster could accomodate caravan pitches.
The new additions to the growing shortlist of possible plots came after Wyre Forest District Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF) panel met on Monday. The panel asked officers to investigate whether the owners of any of the sites were prepared to make them available for Travellers and to report to the scrutiny committee on January 30.
The LDF have agreed to recommend to scrutiny that three sites at Sandy Lane, Stourport - Nunn’s Corner, Saiwen and The Gables Yard - are suitable for traveller use and should be included in the Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD).
The panel also agreed with officers that the public should have their say on four alternative sites in Stourport that were not part of consultation back in October/November 2011.
The sites which will be the subject of a six week consultation are:
• Land opposite the Gatehouse, Sandy Lane.
• 28/29 Sandy Lane.
• 1a Broach Road, Sandy Lane.
• Land at Wilden Lane, north of the industrial estate.
A temporary two-year planning permission was granted by the Council opposite the Gatehouse in November 2011 and the Wilden Lane land would be for travelling showpeople.
The LDF Panel recommendations will be considered by the district council’s scrutiny committee on January 30 which will then make recommendations to the cabinet, which meets the following day.
Both meetings will be held in the Civic Hall, Stourport starting at 6pm. The cabinet will make a final decision on all the sites in question at the meeting.
The final decision on the pre-submission version of both the Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document and the Kidderminster Central Area Action Plan Development Plan Document is expected to be made by cabinet in June and Council in July. The documents will then be submitted to the Secretary of State and an examination in public is expected to be held later this year by an inspector from the Planning Inspectorate before they are finally adopted.
Plots at Clows Top Garage and the former Yieldingtree Packing site at Hackman’s Gate off the A450 could become home to travelling Showpeople, while a site at Hoobrook Trading Estate in Kidderminster could accomodate caravan pitches.
The new additions to the growing shortlist of possible plots came after Wyre Forest District Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF) panel met on Monday. The panel asked officers to investigate whether the owners of any of the sites were prepared to make them available for Travellers and to report to the scrutiny committee on January 30.
The LDF have agreed to recommend to scrutiny that three sites at Sandy Lane, Stourport - Nunn’s Corner, Saiwen and The Gables Yard - are suitable for traveller use and should be included in the Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD).
The panel also agreed with officers that the public should have their say on four alternative sites in Stourport that were not part of consultation back in October/November 2011.
The sites which will be the subject of a six week consultation are:
• Land opposite the Gatehouse, Sandy Lane.
• 28/29 Sandy Lane.
• 1a Broach Road, Sandy Lane.
• Land at Wilden Lane, north of the industrial estate.
A temporary two-year planning permission was granted by the Council opposite the Gatehouse in November 2011 and the Wilden Lane land would be for travelling showpeople.
The LDF Panel recommendations will be considered by the district council’s scrutiny committee on January 30 which will then make recommendations to the cabinet, which meets the following day.
Both meetings will be held in the Civic Hall, Stourport starting at 6pm. The cabinet will make a final decision on all the sites in question at the meeting.
The final decision on the pre-submission version of both the Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan Document and the Kidderminster Central Area Action Plan Development Plan Document is expected to be made by cabinet in June and Council in July. The documents will then be submitted to the Secretary of State and an examination in public is expected to be held later this year by an inspector from the Planning Inspectorate before they are finally adopted.
BBC Inside Out London - Traveller sites
With Traveller families struggling to find enough official pitches to set up home, Jo Good asks if the shortage could lead to more protests like Dale Farm. BBC Inside programme on the need for sites in London.
Down on the farm nothing is simple -Dale Farm
For a start, there isn’t even an accurate word to describe the people who live there. Gypsies won’t do it – since ethnically they are Irish and some object to the term anyhow. Travellers? Well possibly – but the whole issue here centres upon their wish to live, stay put in east Essex – and not travel very much at all.
But that’s Dale Farm for you – nothing is clear. Nothing is easy. Everything surrounded by a swirl of allegations and standpoints. And all of that argued out for years in various courts. Ending up in agonising high court hearings in London where legal teams and a judge laboured over the legal differences between hard-standing…tarmac…and bunding (rough piles of earth and rubble). it was torture for me just listening and trying to make sense.
“Yeah,” sighs Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, “you know I think that was the worst month of my life.”
Down at Dale Farm some – most – of the Travellers would probably say the eviction itself was worse, three months ago.
Yet if you go there now you’ll be astonished, not at what has changed, but at how little seems to have been achieved.
Far from ending the illegal encampment of houses and caravans, it has simply moved from the illicit plot charged by riot cops last October, about 30 yards down the road. And there they remain, rows of caravans parked up on the old approach road to the site of the protest and eviction.
21 caravan 620 Down on the farm nothing is simple
Close by, caravans are jammed into the plots of legal houses. These travellers don’t do gardens. Each small house has a large hard-standing of bricks to take several caravans and that is exactly what they all now have. It is overcrowded, illegal under planning laws according to the council.
Officials were there on the day we filmed, carefully counting up the numbers of caravans . Yes, you’ve got it, another vast eviction from here is being planned sometime from next month onwards. Perhaps millions more in public money will be expended.
Already the council has spent £4.2m on moving a group of caravans a matter of a few yards. Then you have to add in the policing bill – and Essex Constabulary remain at the site day in, day out, clocking up the hours, clocking up the meter for the taxpayer.
And the cleared illegal site itself? An extraordinary morass of earth walls several feet high – “bunding” in council speak – a rampart earthed up around every one of the fifty or so emptied plots. Some are filling up with rain water now.
In one, three traveller children are playing, using a pallet as a raft on the filthy brown water on a Thursday morning in the middle of the school term. Twisted sharp metal and concrete pokes through the earthen walls.
At one end, sewage backs up in the inspection covers near the septic tanks of the first house left untouched by the eviction. It’s not a great place for children to play. But the council says if there’s any health issue nobody has complained and anyhow, people should not let kids play there: “I wouldn’t let my child play in this area – there must be some level of parental responsibility here about this,” says Mr Ball.
Len Gridley sees all this through his garden fence. Once the most vociferous campaigner to get the Travellers off the illegal site, he says what the council have done now is worse than the original illegal camp:
“It’s a bomb site. It’s like world war two. Like a bomber has just come over and left craters all over the place.”
It’s come to something when the actions of the council have managed to unite the travellers concerns about the site with those of their loudest critic – but that’s how it is here three months on.
“We want a site that’s culturally-sensitive to Travellers’ needs and that’s it. We don’t want bricks and mortar – just to be given a site and left in peace. We have nowhere else to go,” says Michelle Sheridan whose current caravan is not a hundred yards from her former home, now one of Len Gridleys ‘second world war craters’.
The council insists this is all temporary. There’ll be another wave of expensive expulsions from the second illegal site the Travellers have moved to — and the original cleared site will be returned to the greenbelt land it once was.
Oh no they won’t, say Travellers’ advisors and campaigners. They plan an appeal in the courts to get back onto the old site at Dale Farm and rebuild with the protection of the law once and for all.
Oh no they won’t counters Basildon Council for whom this is some kind of Alamo – defend at all costs.The council says it’s fighting for councils across the UK. If they go down on this one and retreat and allow people to flaunt the law, then no council will be able to deal honestly with a single planning application.
As ever there is truth and lack of candour from all sides. The council talks about a kind of crusade to uphold the law yet has a worse mess on its hands now then when it started out on this business.
The travellers talk about discrimination and being outcasts and suffering, as they cruise around in gleaming 4 x 4 jeeps, shiny new BMWs, Mercs and even the odd Porsche.
As ever, down on the farm nothing is quite what anybody says it is. The problem the nation thought had gone away three months ago – has in fact, only just begun.
But that’s Dale Farm for you – nothing is clear. Nothing is easy. Everything surrounded by a swirl of allegations and standpoints. And all of that argued out for years in various courts. Ending up in agonising high court hearings in London where legal teams and a judge laboured over the legal differences between hard-standing…tarmac…and bunding (rough piles of earth and rubble). it was torture for me just listening and trying to make sense.
“Yeah,” sighs Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, “you know I think that was the worst month of my life.”
Down at Dale Farm some – most – of the Travellers would probably say the eviction itself was worse, three months ago.
Yet if you go there now you’ll be astonished, not at what has changed, but at how little seems to have been achieved.
Far from ending the illegal encampment of houses and caravans, it has simply moved from the illicit plot charged by riot cops last October, about 30 yards down the road. And there they remain, rows of caravans parked up on the old approach road to the site of the protest and eviction.
21 caravan 620 Down on the farm nothing is simple
Close by, caravans are jammed into the plots of legal houses. These travellers don’t do gardens. Each small house has a large hard-standing of bricks to take several caravans and that is exactly what they all now have. It is overcrowded, illegal under planning laws according to the council.
Officials were there on the day we filmed, carefully counting up the numbers of caravans . Yes, you’ve got it, another vast eviction from here is being planned sometime from next month onwards. Perhaps millions more in public money will be expended.
Already the council has spent £4.2m on moving a group of caravans a matter of a few yards. Then you have to add in the policing bill – and Essex Constabulary remain at the site day in, day out, clocking up the hours, clocking up the meter for the taxpayer.
And the cleared illegal site itself? An extraordinary morass of earth walls several feet high – “bunding” in council speak – a rampart earthed up around every one of the fifty or so emptied plots. Some are filling up with rain water now.
In one, three traveller children are playing, using a pallet as a raft on the filthy brown water on a Thursday morning in the middle of the school term. Twisted sharp metal and concrete pokes through the earthen walls.
At one end, sewage backs up in the inspection covers near the septic tanks of the first house left untouched by the eviction. It’s not a great place for children to play. But the council says if there’s any health issue nobody has complained and anyhow, people should not let kids play there: “I wouldn’t let my child play in this area – there must be some level of parental responsibility here about this,” says Mr Ball.
Len Gridley sees all this through his garden fence. Once the most vociferous campaigner to get the Travellers off the illegal site, he says what the council have done now is worse than the original illegal camp:
“It’s a bomb site. It’s like world war two. Like a bomber has just come over and left craters all over the place.”
It’s come to something when the actions of the council have managed to unite the travellers concerns about the site with those of their loudest critic – but that’s how it is here three months on.
“We want a site that’s culturally-sensitive to Travellers’ needs and that’s it. We don’t want bricks and mortar – just to be given a site and left in peace. We have nowhere else to go,” says Michelle Sheridan whose current caravan is not a hundred yards from her former home, now one of Len Gridleys ‘second world war craters’.
The council insists this is all temporary. There’ll be another wave of expensive expulsions from the second illegal site the Travellers have moved to — and the original cleared site will be returned to the greenbelt land it once was.
Oh no they won’t, say Travellers’ advisors and campaigners. They plan an appeal in the courts to get back onto the old site at Dale Farm and rebuild with the protection of the law once and for all.
Oh no they won’t counters Basildon Council for whom this is some kind of Alamo – defend at all costs.The council says it’s fighting for councils across the UK. If they go down on this one and retreat and allow people to flaunt the law, then no council will be able to deal honestly with a single planning application.
As ever there is truth and lack of candour from all sides. The council talks about a kind of crusade to uphold the law yet has a worse mess on its hands now then when it started out on this business.
The travellers talk about discrimination and being outcasts and suffering, as they cruise around in gleaming 4 x 4 jeeps, shiny new BMWs, Mercs and even the odd Porsche.
As ever, down on the farm nothing is quite what anybody says it is. The problem the nation thought had gone away three months ago – has in fact, only just begun.
Shalford residents raise concerns over Traveller site - Guildford
Guildford council wants to provide pitches for 32 caravans at Stonebridge Depot in Shalford.
Hundreds of residents packed a public meeting called to raise concerns over a proposed site for Gypsies and Travellers in a Surrey village.
The former waste tip on green belt land at Shalford is one of three sites being considered for travellers by Guildford Borough Council.
Shalford councillor, James Palmer, said residents had a series of legitimate concerns about the choice of site.
Council leader Tony Rooth said there was an urgent need for caravan pitches.
“By providing more pitches we hope to help reduce unauthorised development and temporary planning permissions granted through the appeals process,” he said.
“We want to address this issue properly in a planned way and listen to everyone’s views.”
The council is considering 32 pitches on land north of Stonebridge Depot.
“If we pick this site we might be just compounding previous errors…”
Councillor James Palmer
It is also looking at an extension to the existing Ash Bridge site in Ash Road and land at Home Farm in Effingham.
All the sites are owned by the borough or county council.
Shalford Parish Council, which hosted Thursday night’s meeting, said it was the highest turn-out it had ever seen.
“Clearly we have to provide sites – that is our legal duty,” said Mr Palmer.
“But we feel that if we pick this site we might be just compounding previous errors by picking an unsuitable one.
“One of the concerns is whether we disturb contaminated land and release all sorts of unpleasant things into the environment.
“It is prone to flooding, there is no road access there and we think there are not enough local facilities.”
Technical assessments on the suitability of the potential sites are to be carried out, and planning applications prepared if they are considered suitable.
The council is also to look for other potential sites for inclusion in its local plan by March 2015.
see also: BBC report
Hundreds of residents packed a public meeting called to raise concerns over a proposed site for Gypsies and Travellers in a Surrey village.
The former waste tip on green belt land at Shalford is one of three sites being considered for travellers by Guildford Borough Council.
Shalford councillor, James Palmer, said residents had a series of legitimate concerns about the choice of site.
Council leader Tony Rooth said there was an urgent need for caravan pitches.
“By providing more pitches we hope to help reduce unauthorised development and temporary planning permissions granted through the appeals process,” he said.
“We want to address this issue properly in a planned way and listen to everyone’s views.”
The council is considering 32 pitches on land north of Stonebridge Depot.
“If we pick this site we might be just compounding previous errors…”
Councillor James Palmer
It is also looking at an extension to the existing Ash Bridge site in Ash Road and land at Home Farm in Effingham.
All the sites are owned by the borough or county council.
Shalford Parish Council, which hosted Thursday night’s meeting, said it was the highest turn-out it had ever seen.
“Clearly we have to provide sites – that is our legal duty,” said Mr Palmer.
“But we feel that if we pick this site we might be just compounding previous errors by picking an unsuitable one.
“One of the concerns is whether we disturb contaminated land and release all sorts of unpleasant things into the environment.
“It is prone to flooding, there is no road access there and we think there are not enough local facilities.”
Technical assessments on the suitability of the potential sites are to be carried out, and planning applications prepared if they are considered suitable.
The council is also to look for other potential sites for inclusion in its local plan by March 2015.
see also: BBC report
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Big protest over Traveller's pitch - Basingstoke
A PLAN to build a pitch for a Traveller’s caravan in Winchfield has been met with strong opposition.
Hart District Council has received more than 100 letters of objection to the plan for Greenacres Stables, in Taplins Farm Lane.
As revealed in The Gazette last month, Henry Giles wants to build a 0.14-hectare hardstanding and a utility room. The application states that the pitch will “meet a recognised need for such facilities in the area to facilitate a Gypsy lifestyle”.
While the plan states that the pitch is for a single caravan, villagers fear that it would attract more vehicles.
Robert Meier, of Sprats Hatch Lane, Winchfield, wrote: “This is a seven-acre site and could potentially become the home for hundreds of caravans.
“What assurances can be provided that this application, if allowed, would not lead to a huge expansion, legally permitted or not, and that Hart would end up with the problems and cost experienced by Barking Council at Dale Farm?”
Other villagers raised fears about flooding at the site and pointed out that Hart already has two out of the five allocated Gypsy sites in Hampshire, including Star Hill, near Hartley Wintney.
Barrie England, of Winchfield Court, Winchfield, said: “Above all, any residential development of this kind would change the character of the surrounding countryside.
“Hart is lucky enough to have rural areas of this kind and I believe it is the responsibility of the local authority to protect them.”
Winchfield Parish Council has formally objected to the plan.
Councillor Graham Bourne told The Gazette: “It has caused quite a stir. We do not want more gipsies here – we have had trouble in the past.”
Planning officers at the district council are expected to make a decision on the application by Monday, February 6.
Hart District Council has received more than 100 letters of objection to the plan for Greenacres Stables, in Taplins Farm Lane.
As revealed in The Gazette last month, Henry Giles wants to build a 0.14-hectare hardstanding and a utility room. The application states that the pitch will “meet a recognised need for such facilities in the area to facilitate a Gypsy lifestyle”.
While the plan states that the pitch is for a single caravan, villagers fear that it would attract more vehicles.
Robert Meier, of Sprats Hatch Lane, Winchfield, wrote: “This is a seven-acre site and could potentially become the home for hundreds of caravans.
“What assurances can be provided that this application, if allowed, would not lead to a huge expansion, legally permitted or not, and that Hart would end up with the problems and cost experienced by Barking Council at Dale Farm?”
Other villagers raised fears about flooding at the site and pointed out that Hart already has two out of the five allocated Gypsy sites in Hampshire, including Star Hill, near Hartley Wintney.
Barrie England, of Winchfield Court, Winchfield, said: “Above all, any residential development of this kind would change the character of the surrounding countryside.
“Hart is lucky enough to have rural areas of this kind and I believe it is the responsibility of the local authority to protect them.”
Winchfield Parish Council has formally objected to the plan.
Councillor Graham Bourne told The Gazette: “It has caused quite a stir. We do not want more gipsies here – we have had trouble in the past.”
Planning officers at the district council are expected to make a decision on the application by Monday, February 6.
Sully residents meet council and police over Travellers at former tip - Wales
RESIDENTS in Sully have blasted the Vale of Glamorgan Council over the relocation of Travellers from the old Billybanks site in Penarth to the former council tip on Hayes Road.
Around 50 people attended a Sully Community Council meeting at the Jubilee Hall last Thursday evening (January 12), to put their concerns to head of visible services Miles Punter, ward member Cllr Anthony Ernest, and two members of the police team monitoring the issue.
Representatives of the Travellers were also at the meeting, and one said: "We don’t want to be a burden to anyone and we have no intention to cause trouble."
But residents present said that while they had nothing against the Travellers personally, they were concerned about the issue and what they saw as a lack of information from the council.
One resident at the meeting said: "The council has set a precedent letting them on to the site. What happens when other traveller arrive?
"And what is happening with the waste they produce? There are no toilets on that site."
David Roberts, clerk to the community council, said: "The site they are on is actually contaminated land. It is detrimental to their health to be there, and surely allowing them to stay is just encouraging a drain on the Vale’s medical resources.
"The number of caravans at the site has increased 100 per cent since last week," he added.
"Last week there were seven, this week I counted 15."
Another Sully resident said: "It seems it's one rule for Travellers, and another for everyone else. If I turned up at that site in a tent I would be moved on more or less immediately, so why aren’t they?
"Exactly how much is this going to cost the rate payers, who will invariably end up paying for the legal costs incurred by the council as they investigate how to proceed?"
Speaking after the meeting, a Sully man - who asked not to be named - said the big worry was the effect on house prices.
"The Travellers may cause no trouble at all, but the view of the village will still be negatively affected, rightly or wrongly," he said.
"We want to know what is going on, not just for us but for the travellers as well. They deserve a fair deal. But there is no communication from the Vale Council."
Also in attendance at the meeting was a small contingent from the Travellers group currently living at the former dump, and they spoke several times during the hour-and-a-half-long discussion about the situation.
"We take nothing from the surrounding area," said one.
"I do not use gas or electric. I travel to the homes of friends in the area to use their toilet or I use public facilities.
"I work in the Vale caring for the elderly. This is my home. But there is nowhere else for us to go in the borough. When we got to the site the gate was partially unlocked so we let ourselves in.
"We don’t want to be a burden to anyone and we have no intention to cause trouble. If people have concerns they are more than welcome to come to the site and speak to us.
"The question is would people prefer a community of hard-working individuals on the site, or somewhere that people fly-tip and burn out cars?"
The police officers present said there was little concern on their part about the possibility of crime increasing in the area.
Sergeant Francis, speaking on behalf of South Wales Police, said: "During their time at the Billybanks the Travellers behaved impeccably.
"Nothing we have seen over the Christmas period indicates that anything will be different at Hayes Road."
Speaking at the meeting Miles Punter said ideally there would be a designated site for the travellers in the Vale.
"Unfortunately that is not the case," he said.
"In fact there is a distinct lack of sites for travellers across Wales."
After the meeting people took to the Sully Residents Association message board to state their views further.
"I have no axe to grind with the Travellers in question, but what I do have an issue with is the apparent ‘smoke and mirrors’ on the issue from the local authority. Say one thing, do another. How do they expect people to trust anything they say or do?" wrote one person.
Another wrote: "The Vale has hoodwinked us over this site. The lack of adequate security on the waste site is another example of how they have grossly failed the villagers here. It shows the contempt that the council has in respect of this village."
In a statement this week, Miles Punter said: "As I informed the residents and travellers in attendance at the meeting, the council is taking a balanced approach to this matter and is initially seeking to establish the social and welfare needs of the travellers, as we are required to by law.
"Health and safety is a key factor in this process and officers are in contact with Biffa, the council's waste management contractor who holds a waste management licence for this site, and the various chemical companies who are operating in close proximity.
"We have also involved the Health and Safety Executive in the process. When all the relevant information is received this will be put before the council's legal team for further consideration."
Around 50 people attended a Sully Community Council meeting at the Jubilee Hall last Thursday evening (January 12), to put their concerns to head of visible services Miles Punter, ward member Cllr Anthony Ernest, and two members of the police team monitoring the issue.
Representatives of the Travellers were also at the meeting, and one said: "We don’t want to be a burden to anyone and we have no intention to cause trouble."
But residents present said that while they had nothing against the Travellers personally, they were concerned about the issue and what they saw as a lack of information from the council.
One resident at the meeting said: "The council has set a precedent letting them on to the site. What happens when other traveller arrive?
"And what is happening with the waste they produce? There are no toilets on that site."
David Roberts, clerk to the community council, said: "The site they are on is actually contaminated land. It is detrimental to their health to be there, and surely allowing them to stay is just encouraging a drain on the Vale’s medical resources.
"The number of caravans at the site has increased 100 per cent since last week," he added.
"Last week there were seven, this week I counted 15."
Another Sully resident said: "It seems it's one rule for Travellers, and another for everyone else. If I turned up at that site in a tent I would be moved on more or less immediately, so why aren’t they?
"Exactly how much is this going to cost the rate payers, who will invariably end up paying for the legal costs incurred by the council as they investigate how to proceed?"
Speaking after the meeting, a Sully man - who asked not to be named - said the big worry was the effect on house prices.
"The Travellers may cause no trouble at all, but the view of the village will still be negatively affected, rightly or wrongly," he said.
"We want to know what is going on, not just for us but for the travellers as well. They deserve a fair deal. But there is no communication from the Vale Council."
Also in attendance at the meeting was a small contingent from the Travellers group currently living at the former dump, and they spoke several times during the hour-and-a-half-long discussion about the situation.
"We take nothing from the surrounding area," said one.
"I do not use gas or electric. I travel to the homes of friends in the area to use their toilet or I use public facilities.
"I work in the Vale caring for the elderly. This is my home. But there is nowhere else for us to go in the borough. When we got to the site the gate was partially unlocked so we let ourselves in.
"We don’t want to be a burden to anyone and we have no intention to cause trouble. If people have concerns they are more than welcome to come to the site and speak to us.
"The question is would people prefer a community of hard-working individuals on the site, or somewhere that people fly-tip and burn out cars?"
The police officers present said there was little concern on their part about the possibility of crime increasing in the area.
Sergeant Francis, speaking on behalf of South Wales Police, said: "During their time at the Billybanks the Travellers behaved impeccably.
"Nothing we have seen over the Christmas period indicates that anything will be different at Hayes Road."
Speaking at the meeting Miles Punter said ideally there would be a designated site for the travellers in the Vale.
"Unfortunately that is not the case," he said.
"In fact there is a distinct lack of sites for travellers across Wales."
After the meeting people took to the Sully Residents Association message board to state their views further.
"I have no axe to grind with the Travellers in question, but what I do have an issue with is the apparent ‘smoke and mirrors’ on the issue from the local authority. Say one thing, do another. How do they expect people to trust anything they say or do?" wrote one person.
Another wrote: "The Vale has hoodwinked us over this site. The lack of adequate security on the waste site is another example of how they have grossly failed the villagers here. It shows the contempt that the council has in respect of this village."
In a statement this week, Miles Punter said: "As I informed the residents and travellers in attendance at the meeting, the council is taking a balanced approach to this matter and is initially seeking to establish the social and welfare needs of the travellers, as we are required to by law.
"Health and safety is a key factor in this process and officers are in contact with Biffa, the council's waste management contractor who holds a waste management licence for this site, and the various chemical companies who are operating in close proximity.
"We have also involved the Health and Safety Executive in the process. When all the relevant information is received this will be put before the council's legal team for further consideration."
Travellers move on to shopping centre site - Peterborough
TRAVELLERS who had been staying at a car park in Werrington for more than a week are believed to have moved on to a shopping centre car park.
Bailiffs had warned families on Wednesday that they must move caravans on from the car park off Staniland Way, next to Werrington skatepark and a bowls club, after they failed to meet a deadline to leave on Tuesday.
The morning after they moved however, caravans were spotted parked outside Serpentine Green Shopping Centre, in Hampton.
City services provider Enterprise Peterborough is in the process of investigating whether it is the same group of travellers, who had previously set up a camp outside Peterborough Regional Pool.
Shopping centre managers at Serpentine Green were not available to comment.
Nonetheless, yesterday morning saw a clean-up operation in Werrington as Enterprise staff removed the mess left behind by the travellers.
The travellers will not incur a fee for staying in Werrington, however, as the car park does not charge vehicle owners.
A spokesman for Enterprise said: “Enterprise Peterborough’s cleansing crews who were in the area attended during the course of their normal duties and cleared refuse sacks left by the travellers.
“The area was also litter-picked as some of the sacks had unfortunately split.
“The car park was also swept by a road sweeper that was working in the area.”
The clean-up was followed by a site meeting at 1pm, in which the subject of stopping caravans from entering the car park came up after a 2.1-metre height restriction sign was left hanging off its hinges following the travellers’ arrival.
Werrington councillor John Fox, who was involved in the site meeting, said: “It seems that someone got on top of a van and unscrewed the sign.
“I think what is being discussed is putting the sign back by welding and super-gluing it, so if it is removed again it technically constitutes criminal damage.
“I think we could do with a rigid bar as well with a lock that can be opened by emergency services.
“But once again this shows the need in the city for a permanent transit site.”
An Enterprise spokeswoman confirmed that the overhead height restriction sign would be put back up today and said “measures would be taken” to prevent further encroachment.
Bailiffs had warned families on Wednesday that they must move caravans on from the car park off Staniland Way, next to Werrington skatepark and a bowls club, after they failed to meet a deadline to leave on Tuesday.
The morning after they moved however, caravans were spotted parked outside Serpentine Green Shopping Centre, in Hampton.
City services provider Enterprise Peterborough is in the process of investigating whether it is the same group of travellers, who had previously set up a camp outside Peterborough Regional Pool.
Shopping centre managers at Serpentine Green were not available to comment.
Nonetheless, yesterday morning saw a clean-up operation in Werrington as Enterprise staff removed the mess left behind by the travellers.
The travellers will not incur a fee for staying in Werrington, however, as the car park does not charge vehicle owners.
A spokesman for Enterprise said: “Enterprise Peterborough’s cleansing crews who were in the area attended during the course of their normal duties and cleared refuse sacks left by the travellers.
“The area was also litter-picked as some of the sacks had unfortunately split.
“The car park was also swept by a road sweeper that was working in the area.”
The clean-up was followed by a site meeting at 1pm, in which the subject of stopping caravans from entering the car park came up after a 2.1-metre height restriction sign was left hanging off its hinges following the travellers’ arrival.
Werrington councillor John Fox, who was involved in the site meeting, said: “It seems that someone got on top of a van and unscrewed the sign.
“I think what is being discussed is putting the sign back by welding and super-gluing it, so if it is removed again it technically constitutes criminal damage.
“I think we could do with a rigid bar as well with a lock that can be opened by emergency services.
“But once again this shows the need in the city for a permanent transit site.”
An Enterprise spokeswoman confirmed that the overhead height restriction sign would be put back up today and said “measures would be taken” to prevent further encroachment.
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