To prevent unauthorised camps, which are a particular problem in the north west of the city, Leicester City Council is looking to set up authorised provision.
Following a thorough search, which took into account a range of factors, three potential sites are being considered in this area at: Greengate Lane, Beaumont Way and Red Hill Way.
Our consultation on the potential sites is now open. Have your say online by 5pm on Friday 30th March 2012.
Further information about the sites and how to have you say can be found below.
Why do we need more sites?
Why do Gypsies and Travellers set up unauthorised camps?
How many people will live on these sites?
Will the proposed sites help to stop or reduce unauthorised camps in the city?
How will the proposed sites be managed?
How much will it cost to develop the new sites?
How will the sites affect local schools?
Will travellers be able to run businesses from the sites?
Will livestock be allowed on the sites?
Where are the proposed new sites?
How have the proposed site been chosen?
What will the proposed sites look like?
How we are consulting/have your say
When does the consultation end?
Why do we need more sites?
Unauthorised camps are a particular problem in the north west of the city. These can cause real concern for local residents. By proposing authorised sites, we are responding to both local residents’ concerns about unauthorised camping.
We also have a duty through housing and planning legislation to see if there is a need for Gypsy and Traveller sites. The council’s Core Strategy document identifies a high level of need for new pitches. As a need has been identified, we have to try to meet it.
At present the city has one authorised, council managed site, at Meynells Gorse. This site is full. Without available spaces on authorised sites, the number of illegal camps increases.
Why do Gypsies and Travellers set up unauthorised camps?
There are not enough authorised places for them to stop. When there are no spaces available on authorised sites, it makes it more difficult for the council and the police to move them on from unauthorised camps. The provision of new authorised sites, for both short and long stays, would help to address this.
How many people will live on these sites?
All of the sites will be small, with between six and 10 family pitches at each one.
Will the proposed sites help to stop or reduce unauthorised camps in the city?
New, authorised sites should help to prevent unauthorised camps. Having spaces on authorised sites will also make it much easier to move any Gypsies and Travellers who try to camp elsewhere.
How will the proposed sites be managed?
The sites will be managed either by Leicester City Council or a housing association. Gypsies and Travellers on the sites will be treated in the same way as other social tenants. They will be required to pay rent for the pitches, as well as charges for services. Long-term tenants will also have to pay council tax.
Travellers will need to sign a licence agreement, which sets out the terms and conditions for taking a pitch at the site.
How much will it cost to develop the new sites?
The total cost of developing the sites will depend on the findings of surveys and investigations. It will also depend on the final design of the sites.
The City Council and Framework Housing Association have both been successful in securing Government funding to support the cost of providing sites.
How will the sites affect local schools?
It is very difficult to predict how many school age children would live at these sites and would need to attend a local school.
Leicester City Council has a responsibility to educate all children. Many families who regularly camp in unauthorised locations already have children in city schools.
Will travellers be able to run businesses from the sites?
No. All of the pitches will be for residential purposes only, and the same rules will apply as for other council tenants.
Will livestock be allowed on the sites?
No. Only domestic animals and pets will be allowed. Livestock, including horses will not be permitted.
Where are the proposed new sites?
The three potential sites are all located in the north west of the city at:
Greengate Lane
Beaumont Way
Red Hill Way.
Any additional future Gypsy and Traveller sites will be provided in other areas of the city.
A map detailing where the potential sites are can be seen at the bottom of the page.
How have the proposed sites been chosen?
We have looked at all council-owned land in the city, which could be put into use quickly.
All council-owned land was assessed against a number of criteria:
sites have potential to be well screened with fences and hedges to ensure privacy
impact on neighbours
impact on local ecology
avoiding high flood risk areas
good access to facilities including a local centre and primary school
safe pedestrian and vehicle access onto site
close to main road network
sites capable of providing a satisfactory living environment for tenants
site large enough to accommodate up to 10 family pitches
sites are available in the short term.
Once this work was completed the three options were thought to be the most suitable as potential new sites.
What will the proposed sites look like?
All the proposed sites will be well screened with fences and hedges to ensure privacy. They will be formally laid out with parking areas and amenity buildings.
The layout of pitches for long-term tenants will be similar to those for short-stays. Short-stays are considered to be between a few days and three months.
Proposed site plans for the three locations can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
How we are consulting
We want your views on the proposed sites. Complete the online questionnaire, or pick up a hard copy from:
any public buildings in the Beaumont Leys area (including the library, leisure centre and housing offices)
Leicester Central Library
New Walk Centre Customer Service Centre
Alternatively, you could attend one of our community ward meetings at 6pm on Tuesday 28 February at the Tudor Centre, Bewcastle Grove or 6pm, Wednesday 7 March at Christ the King Church, Beaumont Way.
When does the consultation end?
The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 30 March 2012.
see also: Leicester residents consulted over Traveller sites
i am a traveller and i currently live in a house of which we had no choice at the time. having these sites is a great idea and will help with regards to UNAUTHORISED encampments. some people will oppose the planning but at the end of the day, the council must choose sites, and and sites have been chosen. we all have a right in this country, to have a home, some place to live. you see, my neighbours dont know i am a traveller, and we get along so well. i think they would be suprised if they found out!
ReplyDelete