Anger over plan for Travellers’ site at Burn Airfield - Yorkshire

From The Press

A PARISH councillor has criticised plans to build a new Gypsy and Travellers’ site on a wartime airfield near Selby.

Coun Chris Phillipson said there had been a lack of communication from Selby District Council about plans for Burn Airfield, which were discussed at a meeting of the Executive last week.

The executive committee will approach the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), current owners of land at the airfield, with an aim to create up to 15 new Gypsy and Traveller pitches.

Coun Phillipson said the executive meeting was the first time the parish council had heard of the proposal, despite them having strong views.

He said he and other parish councillors had met district council chief executive Martin Connor, who told them the council’s preference was for a high-quality development and a relief road to bypass Burn.

The parish council has since had an apology from Mr Connor on behalf of his council for the parish council being overlooked on the proposals.

A district council spokesman said: “We are committed to working with all the interested local groups including Burn Parish Council, the area’s Ward councillors and Gipsy and Traveller groups themselves. This is just the beginning of the process.”