More time to have your say on Gypsy and Traveller sites - Somerset

From the Bath Chronicle

People have been given more time to give their views on Gypsy and Traveller sites in Bath and north east Somerset.

The deadline for the council’s consultation has been extended by 48 hours until 5pm tomorrow.

This was because people had been sending their opinions in via email and were getting a bounceback message because the account was full.

A B&NES spokesman said they had decided to give people the extra time to make sure everyone had a chance to have their say.

Clarke Osborne, from the Stanton Wick Action Group, which is campaigning against one of the proposed Traveller sites, said he was angry that the council hadn’t prepared for the large amount of emails it was likely to receive.

He said: “This is not the first time B&NES’ email service has caused problems with this consultation process, but for it to happen on the day of deadline when it was obvious that scores of people would be sending their representations by email, is shocking.

“Many people may not check their email now, or realise it has not been received. It’s further evidence, if any were needed, of a process that’s been completely flawed from the start and poorly-executed throughout; it’s appalling that the catalogue of errors now includes B&NES’ inability to even effectively receive email submissions on the deadline day of a crucial consultation process.”

“I would urge anyone who had made email submissions on either the 17th or 18th July to resend them again, rather than assume that they have been received by BANES.”

The six sites currently being considered by the council for designation as land for Gypsies and Travellers are: a plot in Station Road, Newbridge; the current unofficial Travellers’ site in Lower Bristol Road, Twerton; the land near Ellsbridge House, in Keynsham; the Old Colliery Buildings, in Stanton Wick; land at Woollard Lane, in Whitchurch; and the former Radstock Infant School canteen, in Radstock.

To give your views go to www.bathnes.gov.uk and click on Gypsy and Traveller Site Consultation.

It will then be discussed at a meeting on September 12.