Poole grandfather leads site protest - Dorset

AN 85–year–old grandfather is leading protesters into battle over the plans for a Gypsy and Traveller site in Poole.

Lionel Aldridge has organised a 256–signature petition against the proposed site, which would be located close to a school for youngsters with severe learning disabilities.

Borough of Poole has to provide eight pitches for Travellers as part of a countywide scheme and the Lodge Hill site, home to Montacute special school, was among 23 potential sites put out for public consultation last year.

However Broadstone neighbourhood watch co-ordinator Mr Aldridge, says Lodge Hill is a wholly inappropriate place for a Traveller site.

Mr Aldridge, who served in the RAF as an aircraft engineer in the Second World War, said: “I made the point to councillors that we are not objecting to the need to provide a site for Gypsies in the area.

“But this particular site with vulnerable, disabled children nearby struck us all as being an odd selection.”

Mr Aldridge, of Green Hayes, Broadstone, said the children at Montacute special school often used the adjoining woodland and other parts of the borough were better suited for Travellers.

A 12–week period of public consultation on the potential sites finished last month.

Meanwhile, ward councillor Mike Brooke said: “The petition and the number of people who signed up to it does indicate the degree of concern over the Lodge Hill site.

“Having worked with residents, we’ve tried to make the petition as constructive and as helpful to the authority as we can.”

• Montacute School headteacher Andrew Mears, said: “We’ve responded to the consultation and while we appreciate why there are compelling reasons for the community to embrace Travellers, we are convinced the Lodge Hill site is inappropriate – simply because the school is still in negotiations for the provision of a new building on this site.”