Plan for Traveller camps on new housing estates - Somerset

From the Bristol Evening Post

TRAVELLER camps run by housing associations could be created as part of new developments planned in Weston-super-Mare.

North Somerset Council has to provide up to 36 new pitches in the district over the next few years to cope with the growing number of Travellers in the area.

But rather than fund the sites itself the cash-strapped authority, tasked with saving £47 million over the next four years, is asking local housing associations to fund and run them.

The authority is now looking to persuade developers to allocate land within the new Weston Villages development so travellers can live side by side with the local community.

Areas being considered include new developments planned between Winterstoke Road and Wolvershill Road including the former airfield near Locking, Locking Parklands and land south of Somerset Avenue.

The new pitches would be used by existing Traveller families, many of whom are already living on cramped sites in the area. The pitches would not be available to any travellers living outside of North Somerset.

There are 42 residential pitches in six locations across the district including the Willowmead at Locking Castle, which has five pitches. And there is the privately owned camp, Moorland Park, at Hewish which is owned by local businessman Peter Penfold and has 33 pitches. There are other pitches at Box Bush Lane and Travellers Rest, Puxton and at Clevedon Road, Failand.

If the sites are managed by a housing association, it would pay for their creation and then charge a weekly rent – similar to houses.

Housing associations would be able to apply for Government grants to help with the cost of creating the sites

North Somerset Council deputy leader and executive member for planning, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, said: "We are looking at areas which are undeveloped but where developments are planned in the future.

"One of the key issues is to try and integrate these sites before there is major development so the Travellers instantly become part of the community. Many of the existing travelling families have grown and the pitches have become overcrowded.

"We are looking to developers to assist us in identifying sites, otherwise we will identify suitable locations ourselves. Working with housing associations is one option we are considering at the moment as any funding for the sites would have to come from outside of the council."

A survey of traveller families in North Somerset revealed that Weston is their favoured area for pitches because of its close proximity to schools, shops and other facilities.