£2.2m cash boost for Travellers’ sites - Barnsley

COUNCILS have revealed where new Traveller sites will be created after a Government cash injection of £2.2 million.

Barnsley Council plans to create a 10-pitch camp on land off Sandygate Lane, Stairfoot, with £800,000 of funding allocated by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Six new plots at the Land’s End site, Thorne, Doncaster, are to be formed by Doncaster Council - which received £1.4 million - with 10 more brought back into use at a site on Gibbons Lane, Thorne.

Coun Tim Cheetham, Barnsley Council cabinet spokesman for environment, said: “If approved, the site at Stairfoot will reduce the level of unauthorised encampments and put the council in a stronger position at planning appeal hearings regarding unauthorised developments.”

Gary Wells, Doncaster Council assistant director of strategic housing, said: “The council will be updating its approach to meeting Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision in the summer following a budget efficiency and service improvement review of its Gypsy and Traveller service.”