Taxpayers lose £40k as quarry is for sale again - Devon

From the North Devon Journal

A CONTROVERSIAL piece of land earmarked as Torridge's first Gypsy and Traveller site is back on the market for £60,000.

After spending around £100,000 of taxpayers' money to acquire and improve the land, Torridge District Council has decided not to renew its planning permission for Holsworthy's Derriton Quarry and wants to sell it.

The council paid around £60,000 for the former quarry and a further £40,000 making improvements to it.

It received an £840,000 government grant to fund the project but had to hand it back to the Homes and Communities Agency after abandoning the plans.

The land will be sold at public auction on Tuesday, August 21, with a guide price of £60,000.

Derriton Quarry was a former Devon County Council highways depot, but was bought by Torridge District Council as a potential site for permanent Gypsy homes.

Former mayor of Holsworthy Richard Brown was a district councillor who fought the initial plans to create a Gypsy and Traveller site.

He said: "It is a continuing step in a long, sorry saga.

"It should never have been purchased by Torridge District Council; it was never fit for purpose.

"It was abandoned by Devon Highways as unfit for their workforce, that should have been the first clue.

"The issue was not that it would be a Gypsy and Traveller site. The issue was that the site was unsafe. Perhaps it could have some commercial use.

"I understand a lot of work has been done to the site. I still don't regard it as suitable for activity.

"Whatever happens, I hope some sensible solutions are found. It was a misuse of resources and public money."

Councillor Roger Johnson, Deputy Leader of Torridge District Council, said: "The site at Derriton, which was initially considered for a Gypsy and Traveller site, is now being marketed by Kivells and will be sold to the highest bidder at auction.

"There is a reserve price of £60,000 and we will wait to see what the site realises on the day of the auction."

"Whatever happens, I hope some sensible solutions are found. It was a misuse of resources and public money."