Do Keynsham people want permanent pitches for Travellers in town? - Bath

From Keynsham People

Keynsham could have six permanent authorised pitches for Travellers under proposals being considered by Bath and North East Somerset.

The site on land near Ellsbridge House is being considered due to concerns expressed by local people and communities about the effect unauthorised sites have had on their local environment and local taxpayers having to foot the bill for the clean-up of the site once the travellers have left.

B&NES Council believes permanent authorised sites would help to resolve these problems because the people staying on these sites would be liable to pay council tax and would therefore contribute financially to the running of the site and any necessary clean-up work. Having authorised pitches would also allow the council to take more robust action on unauthorised sites and to access Government grants from Traveller Pitch Funding to further cut the costs to local residents.

Bristol City Council has seen its site enforcement costs drop from around £200,000 per year to £5,000 since permanent authorised pitches were established.

Keynsham residents will be consulted on the plans, and no final decision has been made as to the location of the site. The issue will be discussed by B&NES' Cabinet on May 9 and, if approved, it will be subject to a eight-week consulatation period with residents.

For more information, visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/planningfortravellers