'Council must provide 100 new Gypsy pitches' - County Durham

From the Northern Echo

A GYPSY spokesman has called on the council to provide 100 new pitches for the burgeoning traveller community.

Last week Darlington Borough Council drew up a masterplan of the 35 new pitches it proposes to build in the next fifteen years.

However Billy Welch, 50, who lives on the Honeypot Lane caravan site in Darlington, said the council’s plan to extend Gypsy sites is not extensive enough.

He said: “Darlington is in desperate need of new pitches - thirty five in the next 15 years is not enough.

“We need something more like 100 new pitches within the next year.”

Mr Welch, who appeared on hit show My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, said about 80 per cent of the travelling community live in houses in Darlington, but many kept caravans for family members pitched in their gardens.

“If there are more pitches it will prevent this happening. Our population, which is in the thousands in Darlington, is expanding, just like the settled community - we need more sites,” he said.

The council has identified six potential locations for new or extended sites, which could be earmarked to be developed as sites for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling Showpeople.

A study carried out for Tees Valley councils found that there are not enough pitches for travelling communities in the area and Darlington needs to provide an additional 35 pitches by 2026.

The six potential locations for these new pitches are: a site at Salters Lane West, open space at Blackett Road, the North West Fringe (near West Park and Branksome), Honeypot Lane caravan site, Neasham Road caravan site, and a private family site at Roundhill Road, Hurworth.

A consultation on the masterplan is currently taking place in the town.

Speaking at a consultation drop-in session, Lucy Mo, 26, a planning officer for Darlington Borough Council, said: “We want to engage with both the Traveller community and the general public.

“This consultation helps us answer any queries people may have and makes sure people get the right information.”

The final drop-in session for members of the public to have a look at the Gypsy site masterplan will be held on Friday, March 30, at The Dolphin Centre, Darlington from 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm.