Leicester's big fat Gypsy U-turn Trusted

From the Leicester Mercury

Plans to create three Traveller camps have gone back to the drawing board following a storm of public anger.

Some 350 sites across Leicester are now being considered as potential alternatives to those proposed on the northern edge of the city.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "I'm determined that new permanent Traveller sites will be created in the city.

"But I'm open-minded and if there are better areas in the city for these sites then I'll consider them."

The city council announced plans last month for pitches in Greengate Lane, Red Hill Way and Beaumont Way.

The sites would have catered for about 26 families between them and were whittled down from a list of 350 plots of council-owned land.

But mounting anger culminated in Sir Peter – who will make the final decision – facing more than 600 people at a volatile public meeting.

Scores of residents told him that they were opposed to the plans.

The list of 350 sites will now be handed to councillors, who will examine whether any areas could be more suitable.

The council said it would publish a list of the sites within the coming days.

The consultation process will also be extended by three months, to July 13.

People living close to the three proposed sites said they were relieved that the plans could change.

John McCaffrey, 50, who lives near Beaumont Way, said: "I'm glad that the mayor still has an open mind.

"People round here are really worried about the impact a Gypsy camp would have on the area and the council needs to listen to what we have to say.

"We don't want three camps in this one part of the city and we think other areas should be considered, to spread them around."

Ian Jones, 30, who lives near the Red Hill Way site, said: "I don't believe that out of 350 sites across the city this one, right next to the flyover, is the best.

"Once the full list is published, the public can make the case for the council to use alternative sites. A rethink is the right thing to do."

His 40-year-old neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "We've already got problems with congestion and new residents will make it worse.

"I want to see the list of alternative sites, to see whether any of them would be better at coping with a new site."

A woman, who lives near Greengate Lane, said: "The mayor is right to think again.

"This proposed site is already used by Gypsies and Travellers illegally, so it makes no sense for the council to legitimise it by creating a camp on the site."

The Travellers would mostly be temporary tenants, paying rent, council tax and charges for gas, electricity and water.

If approved, the camps would be set up using more than £1.5 million of Government cash.

Sir Peter said: "Although our aim was to have these much-needed sites in place as soon as possible, the funding will still be available to us if we extend our search and consultation to ensure we have been as thorough as we possibly can."