From the Somerset Guardian
Hundreds of residents have joined together to fight plans for a number of travellers sites across the district.
Public meetings, petitions and protests have all been organised to try to block the proposals by Bath and North East Somerset Council.
B&NES created a shortlist of seven sites after a review of 23 areas where consideration was given to creating 22 permanent pitches, 20 transit pitches and one showman's yard.
Among the most controversial of the proposed sites are those at Camerton, Stanton Wick and Radstock.
More than 150 residents in Camerton packed into a parish council meeting to formulate a plan to stop nine permanent pitches being built on the village's children's play area, which less than three years ago had been awarded a share of a £2.5 million pot given to B&NES to improve parks.
Parish council chairman Chris Taylor told residents he felt they were in a strong position to win their fight after meeting with B&NES officers and representatives from the travelling community who said that in their opinion the site was not appropriate.
Mr Taylor said there were fears the site could attract up to 90 people as families cram into the provided spaces.
He also questioned whether B&NES will enforce requirements which would see large pitches restricted to one static home, one touring caravan, two parking spaces an amenity building and a small garden.
Children have written letters telling B&NES to keep their hands off their play park and the parish council is in the process of contacting Sport England to inform them of the proposals to get rid of the sports ground.
Villagers have been promised the play area would be relocated but said there is no other safe area where it could be moved to.
Maggie Hutton, vice-chairwoman of the parish council, said: "If we don't fight with all our energy to the bitter end we will lose this essential and well-used community facility."
At Stanton Wick about 200 residents met to discuss the proposal to transform the former colliery site into 15 permanent pitches and five transit pitches.
They claim creating a site of that size would dwarf the existing community, there would be a significant impact on the nearby road network, it is unsuitable for public transport routes, is too far from local amenities and could be unsafe because of the former mine workings.
Clarke Osborne, who spoke on behalf of residents, said: "We have needed to mobilise very quickly as this very important news for this part of the Chew Valley came to our notice just ten days ago, despite, as we have learnt, this process being under way for more than a year.
"There is clearly something wrong with B&NES' process of informing residents of issues that could have a significant effect on their community."
The residents have set up a website, www.stantonwickactiongroup.org, to collect the views of local people.
In Radstock, concerns have also been raised about the former infant school canteen site.
Labour ward councillor Eleanor Jackson has questioned why the site was selected to take two pitches when in her view it could take considerably more houses or flats, but has praised B&NES for addressing its statutory obligation to provide homes from travelling people.
Dr Jackson said: "This prominent hilltop site is sandwiched between traditional white lias terraces, and would have had 14 houses on it by now had not the 2008 design submitted for three of the houses been of such poor quality for a conservation area that the council's planning officer rejected it.
"Given the acute shortage of affordable homes and social housing, I would question both the change of use and the decision to sell the land for less than its value as a housing site.
"There are several highly suitable sites in the Radstock area, but this is not one of them."
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