From the South Wales Evening Post
GYPSIES have set up camp near Newport’s Transporter Bridge.
Four caravans have been sited on Stephenson Street, near Corporation Park, since at least Thursday.
Newport council said it was aware of the illegal encampment and was investigating.
A spokeswoman for Newport council said: "Encampments such as this demonstrate why Newport needs official Gypsy and Traveller sites.
“A well-managed transit site, where the temporary residents will pay for services and can stay for a specified period, will help the council tackle the continuing problem of illegal camps.
“The council is also seeking to establish a residential site for a small number of families who are longer term residents of Newport and have strong links to the city. They will also pay for services as well as council tax in the same way as other residents."
In 2009 a family lived near the Transporter Bridge illegally for nearly a year before they were moved to a "tolerated" site on Esperanto Way where they remain.
The city currently has no designated Gypsy and Traveller sites and plans are currently being drawn up for potential sites in Ringland, Marshfield and Allt-yr-yn.
A preferred site for a permanent camp at the former road safety centre on Hartridge Farm Road has been identified along with a preferred transit site in a yard off the A449.
Smaller residential sites on the former Ringland allotments and Brickyard Lane in Allt-yr-yn have been identified as being suitable if the need arose in future, while land on Celtic Way, Marshfield, was chosen as an alternative transit site if the preferred option could not be developed.
The areas were chosen from a shortlist of 11 taking into account of 7,100 responses from the public.
There is an immediate need for 17 residential and seven transit pitches but a recent Welsh Government survey found 59 caravans sited in the city - 38 of which were in unauthorised areas.
The council must earmark such sites as part of its Local Development Plan (LDP). Full council will make a decision on whether to replace five existing sites in the plan with the newly chosen areas early next year.
Saturday 27 October 2012
Traveller family are supported at meeting - Lancashire
From the Lancashire Evening Post
A SHOW of support from across the community was given to a Chorley Traveller family when more than fifty folk attended a public meeting.
The Romany Gypsy family - the Linfoots - are locked in a bitter struggle with Chorley Council as they fight to remain on their Heath Charnock campsite.
The three-year ordeal also involved another Traveller family - the Boswells - at the controversial site, but they moved off the land two months ago.
Since the dispute started in June 2009, there has been ongoing legal action between the families and the council that has ended up in the High Court. The meeting in the Fosterfields Day Centre, Eaves Lane, Chorley, on Thursday evening, was organised by Manchester-based human rights organisation RAPAR.
Shortly before it took place the Linfoots received the welcome news that the Government has asked the High Court to quash a decision to refuse an appeal by Michael Linfoot to house caravans on the green belt land.
Mr Linfoot said: “I know it doesn’t mean we’ve got planning, but we’ve another fighting chance at it. He told the meeting: “Hopefully we can now overturn the decision. We have got to keep fighting.”
His wife Patty said: “It’s the best decision we’ve had in three-and-a-half years.”
Mr and Mrs Linfoot, their three sons and Patty’s parents have living on the site at Hut Lane. They own the land but Chorley Council have refused to give them planning permission to live on it. Mr Linfoot lays the blame for the whole saga firmly at the feet of the council.
He said: “Basically, it’s Chorley’s fault it’s going this way. They will not talk or meet. They’ve set a budget to try to evict us.”
As regards going to another inquiry, he said; “If that’s what they want to do, and cost them thousands and thousands again, that’s the way it’s going to go.”
Mrs Linfoot, a school governor, said the family was determined to stay on the site for good of their children.
One member of the public praised the Linfoot children. Jo Millington, 44, of Horwich, said; “My children mix with their children. They are a credit to their family.”
Frank Bennett, 65, of Chorley, suggested: “Why not let them stay until the kids are eighteen?”
Reece Bretherton, secretary of Chorley Amateur Boxing Club, which Mr and Mrs Linfoot’s sons attend, thanked the family for the their support of the club and said; “I’m proud to call them friends.”
Chorley Council has hit out at move to quash the decision to refuse Mr Linfoot’s appeal. Leader Coun Alistair Bradley said he was “extremely disappointed”.
A SHOW of support from across the community was given to a Chorley Traveller family when more than fifty folk attended a public meeting.
The Romany Gypsy family - the Linfoots - are locked in a bitter struggle with Chorley Council as they fight to remain on their Heath Charnock campsite.
The three-year ordeal also involved another Traveller family - the Boswells - at the controversial site, but they moved off the land two months ago.
Since the dispute started in June 2009, there has been ongoing legal action between the families and the council that has ended up in the High Court. The meeting in the Fosterfields Day Centre, Eaves Lane, Chorley, on Thursday evening, was organised by Manchester-based human rights organisation RAPAR.
Shortly before it took place the Linfoots received the welcome news that the Government has asked the High Court to quash a decision to refuse an appeal by Michael Linfoot to house caravans on the green belt land.
Mr Linfoot said: “I know it doesn’t mean we’ve got planning, but we’ve another fighting chance at it. He told the meeting: “Hopefully we can now overturn the decision. We have got to keep fighting.”
His wife Patty said: “It’s the best decision we’ve had in three-and-a-half years.”
Mr and Mrs Linfoot, their three sons and Patty’s parents have living on the site at Hut Lane. They own the land but Chorley Council have refused to give them planning permission to live on it. Mr Linfoot lays the blame for the whole saga firmly at the feet of the council.
He said: “Basically, it’s Chorley’s fault it’s going this way. They will not talk or meet. They’ve set a budget to try to evict us.”
As regards going to another inquiry, he said; “If that’s what they want to do, and cost them thousands and thousands again, that’s the way it’s going to go.”
Mrs Linfoot, a school governor, said the family was determined to stay on the site for good of their children.
One member of the public praised the Linfoot children. Jo Millington, 44, of Horwich, said; “My children mix with their children. They are a credit to their family.”
Frank Bennett, 65, of Chorley, suggested: “Why not let them stay until the kids are eighteen?”
Reece Bretherton, secretary of Chorley Amateur Boxing Club, which Mr and Mrs Linfoot’s sons attend, thanked the family for the their support of the club and said; “I’m proud to call them friends.”
Chorley Council has hit out at move to quash the decision to refuse Mr Linfoot’s appeal. Leader Coun Alistair Bradley said he was “extremely disappointed”.
Nearly 500 Travellers in Kilkenny – CSO - Ireland
From the Kilkenny People
The total number of Irish Travellers living in County Kilkenny at the time of last year’s census was 483, according to figures released last week.
Travellers thus accounted for 0.5% of the county’s population on census night, compared with 0.6% for the State as a whole. Of these, 252 were male and 231 were female.
County Galway had the highest Traveller population in the country, with 2,476 Travellers. South Dublin was next, with 2,216.
Travellers also tended to be much younger than the general population. More than half of Kilkenny’s Travellers (59.2%) were aged under 20, compared to 52.2% for the State as a whole.
Last week’s Census 2011 publication offered a profile of religions in Ireland along with more detailed results on ethnicity and Irish Travellers in particular.
It showed that the Travelling Community suffers from a much higher rate of joblessness than the rest of the population. Census 2011 showed that in Ireland as a whole, there were 9,973 travellers able to work, but they had an 84% unemployment rate. The full report is available on the CSO website at www.cso.ie/census.
The total number of Irish Travellers living in County Kilkenny at the time of last year’s census was 483, according to figures released last week.
Travellers thus accounted for 0.5% of the county’s population on census night, compared with 0.6% for the State as a whole. Of these, 252 were male and 231 were female.
County Galway had the highest Traveller population in the country, with 2,476 Travellers. South Dublin was next, with 2,216.
Travellers also tended to be much younger than the general population. More than half of Kilkenny’s Travellers (59.2%) were aged under 20, compared to 52.2% for the State as a whole.
Last week’s Census 2011 publication offered a profile of religions in Ireland along with more detailed results on ethnicity and Irish Travellers in particular.
It showed that the Travelling Community suffers from a much higher rate of joblessness than the rest of the population. Census 2011 showed that in Ireland as a whole, there were 9,973 travellers able to work, but they had an 84% unemployment rate. The full report is available on the CSO website at www.cso.ie/census.
Blyth Gypsy site decision is delayed - Northumberland
From the Chronicle Live
A FINAL decision on where to build a new transit site for Gypsy and travelling families in Northumberland has been deferred after questions marks were raised over the site selection process.
Members of the county council’s executive were recommended by officers to confirm industrial land on Ennerdale Road in Blyth as the location for the £311,000, eight-pitch facility for Gypsy and Roma Travellers. However, they agreed to postpone the decision in order to allow a scrutiny panel to examine and review the process that has been followed in selecting the proposed site.
It follows the submission of a 677-name petition opposing the Ennerdale Road site.
Local councillor Grant Davey, right, said he was pleased the decision had been delayed.
Read More
A FINAL decision on where to build a new transit site for Gypsy and travelling families in Northumberland has been deferred after questions marks were raised over the site selection process.
Members of the county council’s executive were recommended by officers to confirm industrial land on Ennerdale Road in Blyth as the location for the £311,000, eight-pitch facility for Gypsy and Roma Travellers. However, they agreed to postpone the decision in order to allow a scrutiny panel to examine and review the process that has been followed in selecting the proposed site.
It follows the submission of a 677-name petition opposing the Ennerdale Road site.
Local councillor Grant Davey, right, said he was pleased the decision had been delayed.
Read More
Swansea Council to investigate Travellers' site shortlist
From the South Wales Evening News
GYPSY Traveller sites are coming under the microscope next week.
Swansea Council's cabinet members are set to discuss the launch of a major consultation period into how a shortlist for a second permanent site in the city was chosen.
Candidate sites have been whittled down from 1,006 to five.
This process was then reviewed by a new group of councillors following the local government election to assess that it was both reasonable and unbiased.
It will soon be internally reviewed again and externally reviewed and then, in the coming months, the public will get the chance to see how that list was made — from start to finish.
Swansea Council leader David Phillips said: "The council will be totally open and transparent in its search for a second permanent site.
Information
The public will be given all the information that was used in assessing each of the 1,006 sites.
"The public will see how sites were assessed and the reasons why sites were either rejected or accepted," he added.
The plans to be discussed by cabinet on Thursday include:
Prior to the consultation, two independent reviews (one internal and one external) will be carried out to ensure that the criteria and process used by officers in assessing potential sites were both fair and reasonable.
If the reviews give the process a clean bill of health a full public consultation will be launched.
Details of the 1,006 sites will be published, together with the officer recommendations, for members of the public to see and comment on.
After consultation full council will consider the public's feedback and decide whether any of the sites should go forward for planning permission.
Mr Phillips added: "The independent reviews will provide public reassurance that every step of the process has been carried out properly and free from bias.
"I want to stress that the cabinet report is about the consultation process. We will not be discussing any sites during the cabinet meeting.
"No decisions have been made about where a second permanent site could be created and no decisions will be made until after the public has had the chance to have their say."
GYPSY Traveller sites are coming under the microscope next week.
Swansea Council's cabinet members are set to discuss the launch of a major consultation period into how a shortlist for a second permanent site in the city was chosen.
Candidate sites have been whittled down from 1,006 to five.
This process was then reviewed by a new group of councillors following the local government election to assess that it was both reasonable and unbiased.
It will soon be internally reviewed again and externally reviewed and then, in the coming months, the public will get the chance to see how that list was made — from start to finish.
Swansea Council leader David Phillips said: "The council will be totally open and transparent in its search for a second permanent site.
Information
The public will be given all the information that was used in assessing each of the 1,006 sites.
"The public will see how sites were assessed and the reasons why sites were either rejected or accepted," he added.
The plans to be discussed by cabinet on Thursday include:
Prior to the consultation, two independent reviews (one internal and one external) will be carried out to ensure that the criteria and process used by officers in assessing potential sites were both fair and reasonable.
If the reviews give the process a clean bill of health a full public consultation will be launched.
Details of the 1,006 sites will be published, together with the officer recommendations, for members of the public to see and comment on.
After consultation full council will consider the public's feedback and decide whether any of the sites should go forward for planning permission.
Mr Phillips added: "The independent reviews will provide public reassurance that every step of the process has been carried out properly and free from bias.
"I want to stress that the cabinet report is about the consultation process. We will not be discussing any sites during the cabinet meeting.
"No decisions have been made about where a second permanent site could be created and no decisions will be made until after the public has had the chance to have their say."
Friday 26 October 2012
Huge crowd flocks to under review Stow Horse Fair- Gloucestershire
From the Gloucestershire Echo
IT might be facing a major review, but the 536-year-old Stow Horse Fair still drew a huge crowd yesterday.
As more than 600 people lined the stalls yesterday, Walter Henry, one of the organisers of the fair for the last 20 years, said the traditional fair could not close or move because it had massive support.
The fair kicked off to tremendous fanfare despite the poor weather.
Walter said: "It will never close and we will never budge. It's a chartered fair and has been here for more than 500 years."
He said there seemed to be an agenda to try and get the fair out of Stow because of potential trouble, but he dismissed claims that visitors were too rowdy.
He added: "We are not bad people, we just want to enjoy ourselves. It's not fair to us; Gypsies have rights as well as everyone else."
Cotswold District Council will scrutinise the way the fair is managed.
The review came after a joint call for change from the Silver Community Group and the multi agency Event Safety Advisory Group. It was set up last year by the district council to work with organisers to ensure events were safe for those attending as those affected.
The silver group comprises of members of Stow and Maugersbury Action Group, Stow Town Councillors, Maugersbury Parish Councillors, district and county councillors and the police.
Member Jenni Turner said the event was not a traditional affair, had got out of hand and required proper management.
Jim Flynn, a Traveller from Cambridge, has been coming to the event for the last two years. He said: "The atmosphere this year is very good although the weather could be better. I love it here. It's important to us."
Joseph Jones, spokesman for the Gypsy Council, called on the council to help the fair rather than hinder it. He said: "People come from all over for this fair and we can't think about shrinking or closing it. "
Mark Gregory, manager of bakery Huffkins, said: "There has been a bit of bad blood with some of the shops in the past but we've got to embrace it."
IT might be facing a major review, but the 536-year-old Stow Horse Fair still drew a huge crowd yesterday.
As more than 600 people lined the stalls yesterday, Walter Henry, one of the organisers of the fair for the last 20 years, said the traditional fair could not close or move because it had massive support.
The fair kicked off to tremendous fanfare despite the poor weather.
Walter said: "It will never close and we will never budge. It's a chartered fair and has been here for more than 500 years."
He said there seemed to be an agenda to try and get the fair out of Stow because of potential trouble, but he dismissed claims that visitors were too rowdy.
He added: "We are not bad people, we just want to enjoy ourselves. It's not fair to us; Gypsies have rights as well as everyone else."
Cotswold District Council will scrutinise the way the fair is managed.
The review came after a joint call for change from the Silver Community Group and the multi agency Event Safety Advisory Group. It was set up last year by the district council to work with organisers to ensure events were safe for those attending as those affected.
The silver group comprises of members of Stow and Maugersbury Action Group, Stow Town Councillors, Maugersbury Parish Councillors, district and county councillors and the police.
Member Jenni Turner said the event was not a traditional affair, had got out of hand and required proper management.
Jim Flynn, a Traveller from Cambridge, has been coming to the event for the last two years. He said: "The atmosphere this year is very good although the weather could be better. I love it here. It's important to us."
Joseph Jones, spokesman for the Gypsy Council, called on the council to help the fair rather than hinder it. He said: "People come from all over for this fair and we can't think about shrinking or closing it. "
Mark Gregory, manager of bakery Huffkins, said: "There has been a bit of bad blood with some of the shops in the past but we've got to embrace it."
Concerns over Marshfield Gypsy site plans - Newport
From the South Wales Argus
CONCERNS were raised about the future of businesses, congestion on roads and over-crowding at the local school if a Gypsy camp is located in Marshfield.
Newport council has published a list of five potential sites for the controversial encampment, which include Hartridge Farm Road and Brickyard Lane, Allt-yr-yn, while the preferred option for a transit site is a yard off the A449.
Celtic Way, Marshfield, has been chosen as an alternative transit site if the preferred option could not be developed, with locals expressing concern.
Victoria Maud said the Marshfield community council had a village meeting and is taking advice on how to object.
Ellie Osborn, who lives in Castleton, said "a lot of residents are concerned", pointing to the already congested roads around the A48.
She said: "It's a small site, but the areas around it are already well-populated. There too many people in the Castleton area already and with people driving through to work as well, people are worried there'll be even more congestion."
Ms Osborn also pointed to possible over-crowding at Marshfield Primary, something re-iterated by Newport city councillor for Marshfield, Richard White, who said applications exceeded its capacity by four for this year.
He added: "I'm not sure it's a good site. Close by, there's a very big electricity sub-station that could be very dangerous to inquisitive children. There's also the remains of lakes constructed before the LG site, which could also be dangerous."
Cllr White also questioned what the effect would be on the site's nearest neighbour- one of Newport's biggest employer's Quinn's Radiators.
The company, which promotes itself as "the largest state of the art domestic radiator manufacturer in the world" has already vented its anger at the proposal.
During the consultation process, its letter of objection was one of 7,100 responses received relating to all the sites being considered.
CONCERNS were raised about the future of businesses, congestion on roads and over-crowding at the local school if a Gypsy camp is located in Marshfield.
Newport council has published a list of five potential sites for the controversial encampment, which include Hartridge Farm Road and Brickyard Lane, Allt-yr-yn, while the preferred option for a transit site is a yard off the A449.
Celtic Way, Marshfield, has been chosen as an alternative transit site if the preferred option could not be developed, with locals expressing concern.
Victoria Maud said the Marshfield community council had a village meeting and is taking advice on how to object.
Ellie Osborn, who lives in Castleton, said "a lot of residents are concerned", pointing to the already congested roads around the A48.
She said: "It's a small site, but the areas around it are already well-populated. There too many people in the Castleton area already and with people driving through to work as well, people are worried there'll be even more congestion."
Ms Osborn also pointed to possible over-crowding at Marshfield Primary, something re-iterated by Newport city councillor for Marshfield, Richard White, who said applications exceeded its capacity by four for this year.
He added: "I'm not sure it's a good site. Close by, there's a very big electricity sub-station that could be very dangerous to inquisitive children. There's also the remains of lakes constructed before the LG site, which could also be dangerous."
Cllr White also questioned what the effect would be on the site's nearest neighbour- one of Newport's biggest employer's Quinn's Radiators.
The company, which promotes itself as "the largest state of the art domestic radiator manufacturer in the world" has already vented its anger at the proposal.
During the consultation process, its letter of objection was one of 7,100 responses received relating to all the sites being considered.
Travellers pitch up in middle of street off Hawthorn Avenue, west Hull - Yorkshire
From This Is Hull and West Riding
Travellers have moved back to the Hawthorn Avenue area of west Hull.
About 10 caravans and a horse are parked in the middle of Cecil Street.
Residents said they had arrived overnight.
Last month, Hull City Council secured a court order to evict Travellers from land off Haltemprice Street - just across the road from today's camp.
Travellers have moved back to the Hawthorn Avenue area of west Hull.
About 10 caravans and a horse are parked in the middle of Cecil Street.
Residents said they had arrived overnight.
Last month, Hull City Council secured a court order to evict Travellers from land off Haltemprice Street - just across the road from today's camp.
Travellers ordered to move on - Cambridgeshire
From the Peterborough Telegraph
Two groups of Travellers in the city have been ordered to move on after court orders were obtained.
The Travellers, who have set up camp on Fourth Drove in Fengate and New Station Road near Town Bridge, were given orders to move on on October 19.
However, after failing to do so, Peterborough City Council appealed to Peterborough Magistrates Court for more action, which was granted this morning.
Yesterday it was revealed Travellers had set up camp in the car park in front of Peterborough Crown Court.
Two groups of Travellers in the city have been ordered to move on after court orders were obtained.
The Travellers, who have set up camp on Fourth Drove in Fengate and New Station Road near Town Bridge, were given orders to move on on October 19.
However, after failing to do so, Peterborough City Council appealed to Peterborough Magistrates Court for more action, which was granted this morning.
Yesterday it was revealed Travellers had set up camp in the car park in front of Peterborough Crown Court.
Travellers could soon face eviction from south Norfolk site
From the Norwich Evening News
Travellers could soon be facing eviction from private land they have occupied on the outskirts of a Norfolk town.
Up to seven caravan pitches have been set up on Potash Fen between Diss and Roydon, but South Norfolk Council is trying to contact the owner of the site to get the caravans removed and stands ready to advise on how to begin eviction proceedings.
The Travellers moved to the site, which is close to a row of bungalows, earlier this week after officers from South Norfolk Council asked them to leave their previous home at the former Hamlin electronics factory, off the A1066 Park Road in Diss.
Marston’s Inns and Taverns, which owns more than 2,000 pubs and restaurants across the country, has submitted plans for a food focused pub on the land.
The proposals for a 180 seat restaurant and bar comes after outline plans by Spen Hill Developments - the development arm of supermarket giant Tesco - for a 60 bedroom hotel and restaurant/pub were granted last summer.
The latest proposals, which have been submitted to South Norfolk Council, are for a 650sqm building with first floor staff accommodation and 66 car park spaces and ten cycle stands.
The entrance, off Park Road, will be shared with whoever builds the hotel at the rear of the 1.55ha brownfield site, next to Diss bus station.
In an application to the district council, the agent for Marston’s said the premises would be a “food-led public house” and “does not compete with more traditional town centre public houses.” The applicant adds that the proposals to build a coaching-inn style pub and restaurant would result in “significant job creation”.
The front of the site forms part of the Diss conservation area.
Diss Town Council’s planning committee has approved the plans in principle, while expressing concerns about how the site would sit in the context of the surrounding Park Road area and south end of the town, particularly in the context of the neighbouring Norfolk Feather Company and electricity sub-station.
Travellers could soon be facing eviction from private land they have occupied on the outskirts of a Norfolk town.
Up to seven caravan pitches have been set up on Potash Fen between Diss and Roydon, but South Norfolk Council is trying to contact the owner of the site to get the caravans removed and stands ready to advise on how to begin eviction proceedings.
The Travellers moved to the site, which is close to a row of bungalows, earlier this week after officers from South Norfolk Council asked them to leave their previous home at the former Hamlin electronics factory, off the A1066 Park Road in Diss.
Marston’s Inns and Taverns, which owns more than 2,000 pubs and restaurants across the country, has submitted plans for a food focused pub on the land.
The proposals for a 180 seat restaurant and bar comes after outline plans by Spen Hill Developments - the development arm of supermarket giant Tesco - for a 60 bedroom hotel and restaurant/pub were granted last summer.
The latest proposals, which have been submitted to South Norfolk Council, are for a 650sqm building with first floor staff accommodation and 66 car park spaces and ten cycle stands.
The entrance, off Park Road, will be shared with whoever builds the hotel at the rear of the 1.55ha brownfield site, next to Diss bus station.
In an application to the district council, the agent for Marston’s said the premises would be a “food-led public house” and “does not compete with more traditional town centre public houses.” The applicant adds that the proposals to build a coaching-inn style pub and restaurant would result in “significant job creation”.
The front of the site forms part of the Diss conservation area.
Diss Town Council’s planning committee has approved the plans in principle, while expressing concerns about how the site would sit in the context of the surrounding Park Road area and south end of the town, particularly in the context of the neighbouring Norfolk Feather Company and electricity sub-station.
Council requests personal information from Oak Lane Travellers - Essex
From Basildon Borough Council
Process servers acting on behalf of Basildon Council have today (Friday 26 October) issued a letter and questionnaire requesting personal circumstances from Travellers living illegally in Oak Lane.
The documents were served to 18 caravans this morning and reminded Travellers that they are breaking criminal law by continuing to live along the roadside and ask for individual information about their wellbeing, and any education and housing needs. This information will remain strictly confidential.
Cllr Tony Ball, leader of the council, says: “We remain as committed as ever to upholding the law and this is the next step in the process to ensure compliance with the enforcement notices that we served in July and expired on 29 September.
“I am extremely disappointed but not surprised that the Travellers have chosen to ignore the notices so far, but today has made it clear that we are committed to going through the correct process to ensure the law is upheld and these breaches are dealt with.
“The information that we have requested will allow us to take into account personal circumstances before we decide on any future enforcement action in this area.”
Process servers acting on behalf of Basildon Council have today (Friday 26 October) issued a letter and questionnaire requesting personal circumstances from Travellers living illegally in Oak Lane.
The documents were served to 18 caravans this morning and reminded Travellers that they are breaking criminal law by continuing to live along the roadside and ask for individual information about their wellbeing, and any education and housing needs. This information will remain strictly confidential.
Cllr Tony Ball, leader of the council, says: “We remain as committed as ever to upholding the law and this is the next step in the process to ensure compliance with the enforcement notices that we served in July and expired on 29 September.
“I am extremely disappointed but not surprised that the Travellers have chosen to ignore the notices so far, but today has made it clear that we are committed to going through the correct process to ensure the law is upheld and these breaches are dealt with.
“The information that we have requested will allow us to take into account personal circumstances before we decide on any future enforcement action in this area.”
Fire that destroyed caravan at Travellers’ site ‘set off a series of explosions’ - Norfolk
From the Dereham Times
A fire that destroyed a residential caravan at a Travellers’ site in a mid-Norfolk village last night set off a series of explosions, villagers said.
Mattishall residents had gathered near the location off Mill Road after the blaze started at about 7.40pm.
The caravan, which villagers said housed a family with children, was completely destroyed and a nearby fence badly damaged, but police said no-one was injured.
One villager said: “We came home fairly late and all of a sudden when we came down the road there was a fire and we thought it was a bonfire or they had started their fireworks early.
“The caravan was all alight but then there were explosions with the gas canisters.”
Another witness described “bangs” and “a very loud hissing sound and a few bangs, but not large bangs”.
One villager who said he saw flames higher than the hedge that surrounds much of the site said: “There was a lot of black smoke. I don’t know if it was tyres. It was a really hot fire – it roared enough. It was a big fire.”
The remnants of the structure were being removed from the site this morning, and men from the Travellers’ site were shovelling charred remains.
A man who was helping with the clear up operation said residents did not want to talk about the incident.
A fire service spokesman said a propane gas cylinder was involved, and two crews from Dereham and one from Hingham took just over an hour to extinguish the blaze, and declared the incident over at 8.45pm.
A police spokesman said they are not investigating the cause of the fire, which they did not believe was suspicious.
A fire that destroyed a residential caravan at a Travellers’ site in a mid-Norfolk village last night set off a series of explosions, villagers said.
Mattishall residents had gathered near the location off Mill Road after the blaze started at about 7.40pm.
The caravan, which villagers said housed a family with children, was completely destroyed and a nearby fence badly damaged, but police said no-one was injured.
One villager said: “We came home fairly late and all of a sudden when we came down the road there was a fire and we thought it was a bonfire or they had started their fireworks early.
“The caravan was all alight but then there were explosions with the gas canisters.”
Another witness described “bangs” and “a very loud hissing sound and a few bangs, but not large bangs”.
One villager who said he saw flames higher than the hedge that surrounds much of the site said: “There was a lot of black smoke. I don’t know if it was tyres. It was a really hot fire – it roared enough. It was a big fire.”
The remnants of the structure were being removed from the site this morning, and men from the Travellers’ site were shovelling charred remains.
A man who was helping with the clear up operation said residents did not want to talk about the incident.
A fire service spokesman said a propane gas cylinder was involved, and two crews from Dereham and one from Hingham took just over an hour to extinguish the blaze, and declared the incident over at 8.45pm.
A police spokesman said they are not investigating the cause of the fire, which they did not believe was suspicious.
Travellers battle to stay on greenbelt land - Lancashire
From ITV
A group of Travellers are battling with Chorley Council to be allowed to remain where they live on green belt land in Lancashire.
The Romany Gypsy families - who have caravans on the site- have been locked in a dispute with the council for the last 3 years.
Tonight the families are holding a public meeting for local people to attend and raise their concerns.
A group of Travellers are battling with Chorley Council to be allowed to remain where they live on green belt land in Lancashire.
The Romany Gypsy families - who have caravans on the site- have been locked in a dispute with the council for the last 3 years.
Tonight the families are holding a public meeting for local people to attend and raise their concerns.
Swansea Council chief denies claims in Gypsy site shortlist row - Glamorgan
From the South Wales Evening Post
LLANSAMLET was not added to a shortlist of potential sites for Travellers by any council officers, the authority's chief executive has said.
The announcement by Jack Straw comes after five serving and former councillors signed a statement to say the area had been added to a shortlist they had drawn up, shortly before they were due to visit each site to consider their suitability.
Swansea Council strongly rejected any suggestion a council officer had added Llansamlet to the list drawn up by the Task and Finish group, set up in March 2010 to evaluate suitable sites for Gypsies and Travellers and make recommendations to the authority.
Mr Straw said: "It is inaccurate to suggest that council officers added any sites to the shortlist. Members of the Task and Finish group were fully aware of the potential sites during every stage of the selection process.
"The group began with a list of 1,006 potential sites and whittled these down by using the agreed criteria for assessing sites. In March 2012 the group shortlisted five sites and the following month they visited those five sites only."
The Task and Finish group is made up of elected members, and earlier this year set out to visit five sites which they had shortlisted. But last week, five members of the group put their names to a statement which read: "The list of sites was only issued to members shortly before the day of the visit, and some of us only noticed that the list had been changed shortly before the site visits actually commenced, and a site in Llansamlet had been added.
"We expressed our disapproval to the officers... Llansamlet WAS NOT a site shortlisted by the elected members; we were told Llansamlet was included because of a decision made by officers."
The statement is signed by councillors Penny Matthews and Tony Colburn, and former councillors Roger Smith, John Hague and June Evans.
It was not clear from the councillors exactly how many sites were on the list they were given to visit. But the same month as the site visit the Evening Post reported five sites had been visited — Heol y Mynydd in Gorseinon, the former greyhound stadium in Cockett ward, Milford Way in Penderry, Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon and land at the eastern gateway to Swansea Vale in Llansamlet.
Councillors Colburn and Matthews, who still serve on the council, declined to comment further. But former councillor John Hague said: "We made a decision what the sites would be, and Llansamlet was not on the list. I am adamant about that." And former councillor June Evans added: "Llansamlet was not on the shortlist. I do not know who put it on there, but somebody did."
Former Clydach councillor Roger Smith said he believed Llansamlet was on a shortlist, and that he had added his name to last week's statement on the understanding it referred to Llansamlet being on the list of sites they were due to visit that day. He said: "Llansamlet had been discussed, but it was not scheduled to be visited that day."
LLANSAMLET was not added to a shortlist of potential sites for Travellers by any council officers, the authority's chief executive has said.
The announcement by Jack Straw comes after five serving and former councillors signed a statement to say the area had been added to a shortlist they had drawn up, shortly before they were due to visit each site to consider their suitability.
Swansea Council strongly rejected any suggestion a council officer had added Llansamlet to the list drawn up by the Task and Finish group, set up in March 2010 to evaluate suitable sites for Gypsies and Travellers and make recommendations to the authority.
Mr Straw said: "It is inaccurate to suggest that council officers added any sites to the shortlist. Members of the Task and Finish group were fully aware of the potential sites during every stage of the selection process.
"The group began with a list of 1,006 potential sites and whittled these down by using the agreed criteria for assessing sites. In March 2012 the group shortlisted five sites and the following month they visited those five sites only."
The Task and Finish group is made up of elected members, and earlier this year set out to visit five sites which they had shortlisted. But last week, five members of the group put their names to a statement which read: "The list of sites was only issued to members shortly before the day of the visit, and some of us only noticed that the list had been changed shortly before the site visits actually commenced, and a site in Llansamlet had been added.
"We expressed our disapproval to the officers... Llansamlet WAS NOT a site shortlisted by the elected members; we were told Llansamlet was included because of a decision made by officers."
The statement is signed by councillors Penny Matthews and Tony Colburn, and former councillors Roger Smith, John Hague and June Evans.
It was not clear from the councillors exactly how many sites were on the list they were given to visit. But the same month as the site visit the Evening Post reported five sites had been visited — Heol y Mynydd in Gorseinon, the former greyhound stadium in Cockett ward, Milford Way in Penderry, Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon and land at the eastern gateway to Swansea Vale in Llansamlet.
Councillors Colburn and Matthews, who still serve on the council, declined to comment further. But former councillor John Hague said: "We made a decision what the sites would be, and Llansamlet was not on the list. I am adamant about that." And former councillor June Evans added: "Llansamlet was not on the shortlist. I do not know who put it on there, but somebody did."
Former Clydach councillor Roger Smith said he believed Llansamlet was on a shortlist, and that he had added his name to last week's statement on the understanding it referred to Llansamlet being on the list of sites they were due to visit that day. He said: "Llansamlet had been discussed, but it was not scheduled to be visited that day."
Thursday 25 October 2012
'Very unlikely' alternative Travellers' sites in Bournemouth will be found - Dorstet
From the Daily Echo
COUNCILLORS have spoken of their relief after four sites earmarked for Travellers in Bournemouth were ruled out by council leader John Beesley.
In an announcement earlier this week, Cllr Beesley said there were “sound planning reasons” why none of the sites included in the earlier consultation exercise; Erlin Farm, Careys Road, Throop Road and Park Road, will be considered further.
He stressed that is was “very unlikely” that a suitable alternative site would be located in Bournemouth, adding: “I hope this will put at rest the minds of those residents who have understandably been expressing concern at these proposals.”
Cllr Ron Whittaker, vice-chairman of the borough’s planning board, said: “This has come like a bolt out of the blue; but I am absolutely delighted.
“The last 11 months have been hell for so many families in Muscliff who have been unable to sell their properties. Two of these sites were in my ward. Erlin Farm was totally unacceptable; it is not in council ownership; it is a working farm and grade one agriculture land. It should have been rejected at stage one.”
He added: “Careys Road is adjacent to a Jewish cemetery and it would have been impossible to gain access to the site; both sites are close to residential properties. This has caused enormous distress to both local residents and local councillors.”
Cllr Whittaker added that sufficient research had not been carried out into the Green Belt sites.
Fellow Throop and Muscliff councillor Anne Rey said: “As far as I’m concerned, common sense has prevailed. It’s relieved a lot of people’s anxieties in the ward and across Bournemouth as a whole.
“We had so many emails and letters from people about these proposed sites and people actually had to take their houses off the market until this matter was resolved.
“We’re absolutely thrilled for the residents and would like to thank everyone who sent letters in and responded to the consultation. It was a team effort.”
COUNCILLORS have spoken of their relief after four sites earmarked for Travellers in Bournemouth were ruled out by council leader John Beesley.
In an announcement earlier this week, Cllr Beesley said there were “sound planning reasons” why none of the sites included in the earlier consultation exercise; Erlin Farm, Careys Road, Throop Road and Park Road, will be considered further.
He stressed that is was “very unlikely” that a suitable alternative site would be located in Bournemouth, adding: “I hope this will put at rest the minds of those residents who have understandably been expressing concern at these proposals.”
Cllr Ron Whittaker, vice-chairman of the borough’s planning board, said: “This has come like a bolt out of the blue; but I am absolutely delighted.
“The last 11 months have been hell for so many families in Muscliff who have been unable to sell their properties. Two of these sites were in my ward. Erlin Farm was totally unacceptable; it is not in council ownership; it is a working farm and grade one agriculture land. It should have been rejected at stage one.”
He added: “Careys Road is adjacent to a Jewish cemetery and it would have been impossible to gain access to the site; both sites are close to residential properties. This has caused enormous distress to both local residents and local councillors.”
Cllr Whittaker added that sufficient research had not been carried out into the Green Belt sites.
Fellow Throop and Muscliff councillor Anne Rey said: “As far as I’m concerned, common sense has prevailed. It’s relieved a lot of people’s anxieties in the ward and across Bournemouth as a whole.
“We had so many emails and letters from people about these proposed sites and people actually had to take their houses off the market until this matter was resolved.
“We’re absolutely thrilled for the residents and would like to thank everyone who sent letters in and responded to the consultation. It was a team effort.”
Travellers on Silver Lane, Risley will be evicted again - Cheshire
From the Warrington Guardian
THE council has confirmed Travellers on Silver Lane, Risley, are set to be evicted again.
The group returned to the site they were ordered to leave five months ago in the last week with nearby residents claiming the situation was ‘worse than it has ever been before’.
But a court order secured by Warrington Borough Council yesterday, Wednesday, means the Travellers will be forced to leave the land in the next couple of days.
A council spokesman said: ‘We are working in conjunction with partners including Cheshire Police to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.
“We obtained the necessary direction from the court yesterday and will be in the process of evicting the Travellers during the next couple of days.
“Our clean up crews are on standby ready for when the Travellers have moved on.”
THE council has confirmed Travellers on Silver Lane, Risley, are set to be evicted again.
The group returned to the site they were ordered to leave five months ago in the last week with nearby residents claiming the situation was ‘worse than it has ever been before’.
But a court order secured by Warrington Borough Council yesterday, Wednesday, means the Travellers will be forced to leave the land in the next couple of days.
A council spokesman said: ‘We are working in conjunction with partners including Cheshire Police to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.
“We obtained the necessary direction from the court yesterday and will be in the process of evicting the Travellers during the next couple of days.
“Our clean up crews are on standby ready for when the Travellers have moved on.”
Cricklade family fights eviction - Wiltshire
From the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard
A FAMILY of Gypsy Travellers is fighting a council decision to stop them from living and working on land near Chelworth Industrial Estate in Cricklade.
An enforcement notice issued by Wiltshire Council on February 17 this year, required father and son Robert and Tony Cooper to cease living and trading on the land at Hicks Leaze within six months.
The council alleged Mr Cooper had breached planning control by changing the use of the land without permission.
The "unauthorised uses" included parking residential caravans, running a scrap metal and commercial salvage business and storing vehicles including HGVs, coaches, lorries, trailers and horse boxes at the site.
A council report said the vehicles appeared "unduly alien and incongruous in the surroundings".
It added: "The site is in open countryside, where residential use would only be permitted if there were an essential need for agriculture or forestry and new business uses would only be permitted where it is in keeping with the surroundings and has potential to sustain the local economy."
Tony Cooper appealed the enforcement notice in August this year and the case has now been referred to a public inquiry, which started this week.
He appealed on the grounds that he had been using the land for more than 20 years before the enforcement notice was issued, which he believes should grant him immunity from enforcement action.
He added there were no suitable or affordable sites for Gipsy travellers in the area and said the notice period of six months was too short.
However, Wiltshire Council said a lack of past enforcement action did not constitute "unofficial legitimacy".
Robert Cooper, 74, said he had bought the two hectare site for £15,000 in 1985 and raised his five children in a caravan on the land.
In his evidence to Wiltshire Council on August 7 this year, he said: "I have always lived in caravans and mobile homes, as this is part of my culture and traditions. I do not believe that I could cope with living in a conventional bricks and mortar house."
The public inquiry began on Monday and is due to last until Friday, November 2. Senior planning inspector Pete Drew is expected to reach a decision on the case within one month of the conclusion of the inquiry.
A FAMILY of Gypsy Travellers is fighting a council decision to stop them from living and working on land near Chelworth Industrial Estate in Cricklade.
An enforcement notice issued by Wiltshire Council on February 17 this year, required father and son Robert and Tony Cooper to cease living and trading on the land at Hicks Leaze within six months.
The council alleged Mr Cooper had breached planning control by changing the use of the land without permission.
The "unauthorised uses" included parking residential caravans, running a scrap metal and commercial salvage business and storing vehicles including HGVs, coaches, lorries, trailers and horse boxes at the site.
A council report said the vehicles appeared "unduly alien and incongruous in the surroundings".
It added: "The site is in open countryside, where residential use would only be permitted if there were an essential need for agriculture or forestry and new business uses would only be permitted where it is in keeping with the surroundings and has potential to sustain the local economy."
Tony Cooper appealed the enforcement notice in August this year and the case has now been referred to a public inquiry, which started this week.
He appealed on the grounds that he had been using the land for more than 20 years before the enforcement notice was issued, which he believes should grant him immunity from enforcement action.
He added there were no suitable or affordable sites for Gipsy travellers in the area and said the notice period of six months was too short.
However, Wiltshire Council said a lack of past enforcement action did not constitute "unofficial legitimacy".
Robert Cooper, 74, said he had bought the two hectare site for £15,000 in 1985 and raised his five children in a caravan on the land.
In his evidence to Wiltshire Council on August 7 this year, he said: "I have always lived in caravans and mobile homes, as this is part of my culture and traditions. I do not believe that I could cope with living in a conventional bricks and mortar house."
The public inquiry began on Monday and is due to last until Friday, November 2. Senior planning inspector Pete Drew is expected to reach a decision on the case within one month of the conclusion of the inquiry.
Proposals pave way for Twyford Orchards expansion - Berkshire
From the Twyford Advertsiser
Proposals are set to be agreed tonight which could pave the way for the Twyford Orchards Travellers site to be nearly doubled in size by building on greenbelt land.
Fire safety issues are to be addressed by the council's executive, which is concerned that mobile homes on the London Road site are too tightly packed together.
The site currently breaches a number of fire safety regulations.
If the safety improvements are agreed a planning application will then be submitted for a £1.4m extension of the Orchards site.
Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) looks likely to sign a 150-year lease with the landowner to acquire additional land next to the site, having failed to agree terms to buy the land outright.
The site would nearly double in size to create four additional pitches and provide much more space between each of the mobile homes.
Cllr Keith Baker, cabinet member for Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) liaison, said: "By expanding the site it would address fire safety issues, keep established households within the community, and tackle issues related to the overcrowding and amenities on the site."
Overcrowding has increasingly become a problem at the site because of the growth of existing families.
WBC has stressed the expansion, which will take about 18 months to complete once started, is for existing families only. Anyone who tries to move onto the site will be prosecuted.
WBC will enter into the 150-year lease subject to planning approval.
Cllr Baker added: "This land is in a greenbelt but the Government would allow us, under exceptional circumstances, to use this land subject to planning permission. This an extreme exception which is unique.
"We are not setting a precedent and we will continue to fight any new developments in the greenbelt."
Residents and interested parties will have the chance to comment during a formal public consultation period.
The expansion will be paid for with £575,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and a £825,000 contribution from WBC.
Twyford Orchards is owned and managed by WBC and provides 16 pitches for Traveller families.
Proposals are set to be agreed tonight which could pave the way for the Twyford Orchards Travellers site to be nearly doubled in size by building on greenbelt land.
Fire safety issues are to be addressed by the council's executive, which is concerned that mobile homes on the London Road site are too tightly packed together.
The site currently breaches a number of fire safety regulations.
If the safety improvements are agreed a planning application will then be submitted for a £1.4m extension of the Orchards site.
Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) looks likely to sign a 150-year lease with the landowner to acquire additional land next to the site, having failed to agree terms to buy the land outright.
The site would nearly double in size to create four additional pitches and provide much more space between each of the mobile homes.
Cllr Keith Baker, cabinet member for Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) liaison, said: "By expanding the site it would address fire safety issues, keep established households within the community, and tackle issues related to the overcrowding and amenities on the site."
Overcrowding has increasingly become a problem at the site because of the growth of existing families.
WBC has stressed the expansion, which will take about 18 months to complete once started, is for existing families only. Anyone who tries to move onto the site will be prosecuted.
WBC will enter into the 150-year lease subject to planning approval.
Cllr Baker added: "This land is in a greenbelt but the Government would allow us, under exceptional circumstances, to use this land subject to planning permission. This an extreme exception which is unique.
"We are not setting a precedent and we will continue to fight any new developments in the greenbelt."
Residents and interested parties will have the chance to comment during a formal public consultation period.
The expansion will be paid for with £575,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and a £825,000 contribution from WBC.
Twyford Orchards is owned and managed by WBC and provides 16 pitches for Traveller families.
Travellers set up camp outside court - Cambridgeshire
From the Peterborough Telegraph
Travellers have set up camp outside Peterborough Crown Court.
A caravan was spotted outside the court yesterday, and today washing was placed on the hedge near to the court building next to the caravan.
A spokesman for Enterprise Peterborough said: “Our traveller liaison team visited them yesterday to discuss their intentions and remind them to keep the site clean while they are there. We have produced a report for the city council and are currently awaiting their instructions regarding whether and when to serve notice.”
Travellers have set up camp outside Peterborough Crown Court.
A caravan was spotted outside the court yesterday, and today washing was placed on the hedge near to the court building next to the caravan.
A spokesman for Enterprise Peterborough said: “Our traveller liaison team visited them yesterday to discuss their intentions and remind them to keep the site clean while they are there. We have produced a report for the city council and are currently awaiting their instructions regarding whether and when to serve notice.”
Rise in traveller site clean-up costs across Brighton and Hove - Sussex
From the Argus
Traveller camp clear-up costs will soar by 11% over the next three years, according to town hall bosses.
Brighton and Hove City Council has signed a three-year deal worth more than half a million pounds with a private firm to collect waste from unauthorised camps across the city.
Since 2009 clean-up costs were £467,000 but council bosses estimate waste collection by Tim Jordan Grounds Maintenance will cost up to £518,000 over the next three years.
But Cityclean, the council’s refuse and recycling service, has added the authorised Horsdean Traveller transit site to its rounds – a move the council said would save taxpayers around £24,000 a year.
The news comes as government figures suggested the number of unauthorised encampments in the city during the summer fell to a five-year low.
According to the numbers there were only 20 caravans on forbidden sites in July this year.
A council spokesman said: “Management of unauthorised encampments is carried out in line with the council’s Traveller strategy, following government guidance.
Clear-up costs
“Services provided under this contract will be broadly the same as for the past four years.
“This contract is for the removal, recycling and disposal of materials from unauthorised Travellers’ sites in Brighton and Hove together with associated services.
“These include ad hoc provision of portable toilets, equipment and miscellaneous labour as required.
“In providing these services the council is following national government guidelines which aim to ensure such sites are kept as tidy as possible.
“When the contract was put out to tender, the council’s initial estimate was that it would cost between £350,000 and £500,000.
The deal has the option of an extension of up to one-year subject to performance.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative group leader, said: “I don’t think our council taxpayers will be very happy about paying more for clean-up costs in these difficult times.
“And the government figures would appear to be wildly wrong.
“Everyone in the outlying wards in the city knows there has been an increase in Traveller camps in the past two years.”
Traveller camp clear-up costs will soar by 11% over the next three years, according to town hall bosses.
Brighton and Hove City Council has signed a three-year deal worth more than half a million pounds with a private firm to collect waste from unauthorised camps across the city.
Since 2009 clean-up costs were £467,000 but council bosses estimate waste collection by Tim Jordan Grounds Maintenance will cost up to £518,000 over the next three years.
But Cityclean, the council’s refuse and recycling service, has added the authorised Horsdean Traveller transit site to its rounds – a move the council said would save taxpayers around £24,000 a year.
The news comes as government figures suggested the number of unauthorised encampments in the city during the summer fell to a five-year low.
According to the numbers there were only 20 caravans on forbidden sites in July this year.
A council spokesman said: “Management of unauthorised encampments is carried out in line with the council’s Traveller strategy, following government guidance.
Clear-up costs
“Services provided under this contract will be broadly the same as for the past four years.
“This contract is for the removal, recycling and disposal of materials from unauthorised Travellers’ sites in Brighton and Hove together with associated services.
“These include ad hoc provision of portable toilets, equipment and miscellaneous labour as required.
“In providing these services the council is following national government guidelines which aim to ensure such sites are kept as tidy as possible.
“When the contract was put out to tender, the council’s initial estimate was that it would cost between £350,000 and £500,000.
The deal has the option of an extension of up to one-year subject to performance.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative group leader, said: “I don’t think our council taxpayers will be very happy about paying more for clean-up costs in these difficult times.
“And the government figures would appear to be wildly wrong.
“Everyone in the outlying wards in the city knows there has been an increase in Traveller camps in the past two years.”
Twyford Orchards Gypsy site: Green belt expansion plan - Berkshire
From
A Traveller site in Berkshire could expand onto green belt land if council proposals are approved later.
Twyford Orchards encampment on London Road, in Twyford, currently breaches fire safety regulations because it has become overcrowded.
Wokingham Borough Council plans to replace the site's existing 16 pitches with a total of 20 pitches over a wider area, some of which is green belt land.
Councillor Keith Baker said it was an "extreme exception".
'Bit naughty'
The council said "strict licence conditions" were in place at the site to ensure it did not become overcrowded again.
London Road resident Josephine Blythe said the current encampment "is not a problem site and the residents seem like nice people", but described the council's plans as "a bit naughty".
The 44-year-old, who runs a pottery painting shop in Twyford, said: "The council wouldn't allow planning permission for other buildings on green belt land."
Mr Baker, executive member for Gypsy Roma Traveller liaison at Wokingham Borough Council, said most of the tenants at the site were either born there or had lived there for over 30 years.
"They are well integrated into the community and eviction is not something that is appropriate," he said.
"We are not setting a precedent and we will continue to fight any new developments in the green belt," he added.
If approved the proposals would be subject to planning permission.
A Traveller site in Berkshire could expand onto green belt land if council proposals are approved later.
Twyford Orchards encampment on London Road, in Twyford, currently breaches fire safety regulations because it has become overcrowded.
Wokingham Borough Council plans to replace the site's existing 16 pitches with a total of 20 pitches over a wider area, some of which is green belt land.
Councillor Keith Baker said it was an "extreme exception".
'Bit naughty'
The council said "strict licence conditions" were in place at the site to ensure it did not become overcrowded again.
London Road resident Josephine Blythe said the current encampment "is not a problem site and the residents seem like nice people", but described the council's plans as "a bit naughty".
The 44-year-old, who runs a pottery painting shop in Twyford, said: "The council wouldn't allow planning permission for other buildings on green belt land."
Mr Baker, executive member for Gypsy Roma Traveller liaison at Wokingham Borough Council, said most of the tenants at the site were either born there or had lived there for over 30 years.
"They are well integrated into the community and eviction is not something that is appropriate," he said.
"We are not setting a precedent and we will continue to fight any new developments in the green belt," he added.
If approved the proposals would be subject to planning permission.
Runcorn Gypsy site could be here to stay after revised plans are submitted to Halton Council - Cheshire
From the Runcorn and Widnes
PLANS to make a temporary Gypsy site in Runcorn permanent have been handed to Halton Council.
Last year the Warrington Road site was granted planning permission on appeal for the change of land use to a residential Gypsy caravan site that is allowed to have horses kep on it.
The latest application seeks to remove a condition that states the site must return to its previous land use after November 2014.
At present the transit site has 13 temporary pitches.
Earlier this year, Halton Council revised its strategy for the provision of Gypsy and Traveller camps in the borough.
And last month executive board members agreed to bid for a share of £12.1m Homes And Communities Agency (HCA) cash to fund upgrades to the area’s provision and to find room for new developments.
The borough currently has 40 pitches but the authority must find the extra pitches as required by Government policy.
A Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment could cost up to £20,000 but the figure would be slashed to about £7,000 if the four local authorities in Cheshire complete one together. The Warrington Road site is most likely to take the extra pitches.
Phillip Brown, agent for the application, said: “In my opinion, the site residents should not be left with the uncertainty of living on a temporary site any longer.”
PLANS to make a temporary Gypsy site in Runcorn permanent have been handed to Halton Council.
Last year the Warrington Road site was granted planning permission on appeal for the change of land use to a residential Gypsy caravan site that is allowed to have horses kep on it.
The latest application seeks to remove a condition that states the site must return to its previous land use after November 2014.
At present the transit site has 13 temporary pitches.
Earlier this year, Halton Council revised its strategy for the provision of Gypsy and Traveller camps in the borough.
And last month executive board members agreed to bid for a share of £12.1m Homes And Communities Agency (HCA) cash to fund upgrades to the area’s provision and to find room for new developments.
The borough currently has 40 pitches but the authority must find the extra pitches as required by Government policy.
A Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment could cost up to £20,000 but the figure would be slashed to about £7,000 if the four local authorities in Cheshire complete one together. The Warrington Road site is most likely to take the extra pitches.
Phillip Brown, agent for the application, said: “In my opinion, the site residents should not be left with the uncertainty of living on a temporary site any longer.”
Hundreds flock to Stow Horse Fair - Gloucestershire
From the Tewkesbury Admag
HUNDREDS of Gypsies and Travellers flocked to Stow for the bi-annual horse fair today.
Despite the thick mud people were in good spirits buying the selling horses, munching on hot dogs and enjoying the many market stalls.
The crowds flocked to see the traditional Gypsy wagons while friends and family gathered around camp fires soaking up the atmosphere.
Field owner Walter Henry said: "Everybody's having a good time. Everything is lovely but it's just the mud."
The twice-yearly event is also held in May.
HUNDREDS of Gypsies and Travellers flocked to Stow for the bi-annual horse fair today.
Despite the thick mud people were in good spirits buying the selling horses, munching on hot dogs and enjoying the many market stalls.
The crowds flocked to see the traditional Gypsy wagons while friends and family gathered around camp fires soaking up the atmosphere.
Field owner Walter Henry said: "Everybody's having a good time. Everything is lovely but it's just the mud."
The twice-yearly event is also held in May.
Wednesday 24 October 2012
Five options for Newport Gypsy sites revealed - Gwent
From the South Wales Argus
FIVE potential sites for the controversial Gypsy sites in Newport have been revealed.
A special committee of councillors has put forward its preferred locations in Ringland, Allt-yr-yn and Marshfield.
They include a permanent site for up to three families at the former road safety centre on Hartridge Farm Road, and a potential smaller site on the former Ringland allotments.
This was welcomed by travellers who said they were close to local services and schools, but opposed by developer St Modwyn who is concerned about the size of the site.
Brickyard Lane in Allt-yr-yn could also house up to four plots if the need arose in future.
The preferred place for a transit sites would be a yard off the A449, the committee said, which was welcomed by the travelling community who said it had good links to major roads.
Land on Celtic Way, Marshfield, was chosen as an alternative transit site if the preferred option could not be developed.
The original shortlist of 11 sites which has been whittled down to these five, caused anger among the community.
More than 7,100 comments were received by the council highlighting a total of 40,000 issues concerning an earlier shortlist of 11 sites.
Each was read and analysed by an in-house team and were considered by the group before they compiled their latest list.
A report to councillors says there was an immediate need for 17 residential plots for families already on the housing waiting list, and seven transit pitches.
A survey conducted by the Welsh Government in July found 59 caravans sited in the city - 21 on lawful sites and 38 on unauthorised ones.
Newport doesn’t have a designated Gypsy and Traveller site, which breaches Welsh Government policy, and suggested encampments must be included in the authority’s Local Development Plan (LDP), which sets out how the city will be developed in the coming years.
Managed sites would help the council tackle the continuing problem of illegal encampments.
The committee's recommendation will be discussed at a meeting on Monday before being reported to cabinet, but the final decision on whether to amend or replace the five sites already identified in the deposit LDP will be made by full council in early 2013.
COMMENT: Council has no choice
THERE will be mixed reaction to Newport council’s list of preferred sites for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the city.
Residents whose areas are no longer on the council’s list will be jubilant. Those council tax payers who live near the five areas earmarked to become sites will be furious and ready to extend their protests.
We understand their concerns and we have reported the depth of feeling shown at public meetings after the initial 11-strong shortlist was unveiled in September.
More than 7,000 objections were lodged with the council.
The harsh reality is that these sites have to go somewhere in Newport. The Welsh Government insists on it.
The alternative would be to see the Welsh Government failing to approve Newport’s Local Development Plan, which sets out plans for future development and land use in the city.
There will no doubt be celebrations in places like Langstone, where there were huge protests against the prospect of a Gypsy site in the vicinity, to greet its removal fromthe shortlist.
Residents in Ringland and Marshfield will not feel so happy.
We doubt if anyone would welcome a site being opened near their properties.
The council has no choice. It has to earmark residential and transit sites for Gypsies and Travellers.
Now it has done so and there will be more protests to follow.
But this is remains a problem to which there is no easy solution.
FIVE potential sites for the controversial Gypsy sites in Newport have been revealed.
A special committee of councillors has put forward its preferred locations in Ringland, Allt-yr-yn and Marshfield.
They include a permanent site for up to three families at the former road safety centre on Hartridge Farm Road, and a potential smaller site on the former Ringland allotments.
This was welcomed by travellers who said they were close to local services and schools, but opposed by developer St Modwyn who is concerned about the size of the site.
Brickyard Lane in Allt-yr-yn could also house up to four plots if the need arose in future.
The preferred place for a transit sites would be a yard off the A449, the committee said, which was welcomed by the travelling community who said it had good links to major roads.
Land on Celtic Way, Marshfield, was chosen as an alternative transit site if the preferred option could not be developed.
The original shortlist of 11 sites which has been whittled down to these five, caused anger among the community.
More than 7,100 comments were received by the council highlighting a total of 40,000 issues concerning an earlier shortlist of 11 sites.
Each was read and analysed by an in-house team and were considered by the group before they compiled their latest list.
A report to councillors says there was an immediate need for 17 residential plots for families already on the housing waiting list, and seven transit pitches.
A survey conducted by the Welsh Government in July found 59 caravans sited in the city - 21 on lawful sites and 38 on unauthorised ones.
Newport doesn’t have a designated Gypsy and Traveller site, which breaches Welsh Government policy, and suggested encampments must be included in the authority’s Local Development Plan (LDP), which sets out how the city will be developed in the coming years.
Managed sites would help the council tackle the continuing problem of illegal encampments.
The committee's recommendation will be discussed at a meeting on Monday before being reported to cabinet, but the final decision on whether to amend or replace the five sites already identified in the deposit LDP will be made by full council in early 2013.
COMMENT: Council has no choice
THERE will be mixed reaction to Newport council’s list of preferred sites for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the city.
Residents whose areas are no longer on the council’s list will be jubilant. Those council tax payers who live near the five areas earmarked to become sites will be furious and ready to extend their protests.
We understand their concerns and we have reported the depth of feeling shown at public meetings after the initial 11-strong shortlist was unveiled in September.
More than 7,000 objections were lodged with the council.
The harsh reality is that these sites have to go somewhere in Newport. The Welsh Government insists on it.
The alternative would be to see the Welsh Government failing to approve Newport’s Local Development Plan, which sets out plans for future development and land use in the city.
There will no doubt be celebrations in places like Langstone, where there were huge protests against the prospect of a Gypsy site in the vicinity, to greet its removal fromthe shortlist.
Residents in Ringland and Marshfield will not feel so happy.
We doubt if anyone would welcome a site being opened near their properties.
The council has no choice. It has to earmark residential and transit sites for Gypsies and Travellers.
Now it has done so and there will be more protests to follow.
But this is remains a problem to which there is no easy solution.
Sidmouth woman faces eviction after planning rethink - Devon
From the Sidmouth Herald
A woman has been made homeless after her dream of building a home in Sidmouth was snatched away from her by civic leaders.
Kelly Lynch was given the green light to build a small bungalow on her land on the Bowd in August, but the decision was reviewed after a ‘departure from policy’.
At Wednesday’s East Devon District Council (EDDC) planning committee meeting, councillors voted to reject the planning application – although there was no material change to the application.
Gypsy Kelly said: “One minute I’ve been given planning permission, the next it’s taken away – I just don’t understand why.”
She added: “I can’t get over the shock of it.”
Councillor Claire Wright, who has defended Kelly since learning of her case, said: “The decision has plunged a woman, who thought she had won a very long and very hard battle, back into despair.”
In August, the Herald reported Kelly’s successful fight against eviction from the land, which was hailed as a ‘victory for democracy’.
She inherited the land – in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – from her grandmother, Violet Small, who was also a Gypsy.
Kelly was granted permission to build a single-storey, 39-sqm “log cabin”, very similar to the property Violet was granted permission to build in 1986, but failed to do so within the required time.
At this week’s meeting, councillors voted again because the original decision was advertised as a ‘departure from policy’, and a letter of objection had been received, which Cllr Wright said ‘added nothing new’.
Kelly asked: “Since when has that ever happened before?”
Planning officers recommended they reapprove the application, but the councillors voted to reject it by eight votes to seven.
Kelly, a care worker in Sidmouth, is now unsure what the future holds for her and is looking at her options with her agent.
She will ‘more than likely’ appeal the decision, reigniting a battle that began when her grandmother owned the land.
A woman has been made homeless after her dream of building a home in Sidmouth was snatched away from her by civic leaders.
Kelly Lynch was given the green light to build a small bungalow on her land on the Bowd in August, but the decision was reviewed after a ‘departure from policy’.
At Wednesday’s East Devon District Council (EDDC) planning committee meeting, councillors voted to reject the planning application – although there was no material change to the application.
Gypsy Kelly said: “One minute I’ve been given planning permission, the next it’s taken away – I just don’t understand why.”
She added: “I can’t get over the shock of it.”
Councillor Claire Wright, who has defended Kelly since learning of her case, said: “The decision has plunged a woman, who thought she had won a very long and very hard battle, back into despair.”
In August, the Herald reported Kelly’s successful fight against eviction from the land, which was hailed as a ‘victory for democracy’.
She inherited the land – in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – from her grandmother, Violet Small, who was also a Gypsy.
Kelly was granted permission to build a single-storey, 39-sqm “log cabin”, very similar to the property Violet was granted permission to build in 1986, but failed to do so within the required time.
At this week’s meeting, councillors voted again because the original decision was advertised as a ‘departure from policy’, and a letter of objection had been received, which Cllr Wright said ‘added nothing new’.
Kelly asked: “Since when has that ever happened before?”
Planning officers recommended they reapprove the application, but the councillors voted to reject it by eight votes to seven.
Kelly, a care worker in Sidmouth, is now unsure what the future holds for her and is looking at her options with her agent.
She will ‘more than likely’ appeal the decision, reigniting a battle that began when her grandmother owned the land.
It's a gem of a project - Ireland
From the Irish Post
There is nothing big, fat or Gypsy about the Irish Traveller women who took part in a jewellery-making project revealed at the Irish Embassy this week. The young women involved instead proved there is far more to the Traveller community than meets the eye — or the television screen. And they even inspired a new collection by Dublin-born jewellry design artist Laura Bradshaw- Heap,who led the initiative.
Last summer the women worked side by side using only salvaged materials to produce festive adornments that fitted their style, which resulted in an impressive collection of bangles, head-pieces and brooches in a range of flamboyant colours. Now Cambridge-based 30-yearold jewellery maker Laura has embarked on her six-week project with a group of Traveller women in North London with the help of the Brent Irish Advisory Service.
“I wanted to see if artists were able to work with community groups in a way that would be beneficial to the groups and the artist themselves,” she said. “BIAS was very keen to set up a coffee morning for Irish Traveller women to share experiences and gain independence. When I approached them with my project idea they liked it and the women themselves, when they heard about the project, were keen to show a wider audience that Irish Traveller life was not like Big Fat Gypsy Weddings. They wanted to show they were educated, trying to improve their lives and not ignorant.” She added: “They did that and more, but what struck me the most was how the women that turned up were so willing to help with the project. They were so loyal to it and determined to make me feel at home and make sure the project was a success. They truly proved what they set out to prove, that everyone is an individual and you can’t judge a person by the group they are in.”
The project formed the final thesis for the artist’s MA in Jewellry Design at the London Metropolitan University last September. This week the culmination of her course and the unique Travellers project is revealed in an exquisitely detailed book entitled This is Me, launched at the Irish Embassy in London on Tuesday.
“The book explains how I went about this as an artist and where I stepped back to let the women decide what things they would do within it,” Laura explained. “A lot of community projects are focused on end results but this was about each person learning from the other and having new experiences and that was achieved on all levels. I learnt as much from the group and BIAS as they all learnt from each other and all of this fuelled the work and fed into it.” She added: “It even inspired a new collection of my work based on my experiences in the project.
There is nothing big, fat or Gypsy about the Irish Traveller women who took part in a jewellery-making project revealed at the Irish Embassy this week. The young women involved instead proved there is far more to the Traveller community than meets the eye — or the television screen. And they even inspired a new collection by Dublin-born jewellry design artist Laura Bradshaw- Heap,who led the initiative.
Last summer the women worked side by side using only salvaged materials to produce festive adornments that fitted their style, which resulted in an impressive collection of bangles, head-pieces and brooches in a range of flamboyant colours. Now Cambridge-based 30-yearold jewellery maker Laura has embarked on her six-week project with a group of Traveller women in North London with the help of the Brent Irish Advisory Service.
“I wanted to see if artists were able to work with community groups in a way that would be beneficial to the groups and the artist themselves,” she said. “BIAS was very keen to set up a coffee morning for Irish Traveller women to share experiences and gain independence. When I approached them with my project idea they liked it and the women themselves, when they heard about the project, were keen to show a wider audience that Irish Traveller life was not like Big Fat Gypsy Weddings. They wanted to show they were educated, trying to improve their lives and not ignorant.” She added: “They did that and more, but what struck me the most was how the women that turned up were so willing to help with the project. They were so loyal to it and determined to make me feel at home and make sure the project was a success. They truly proved what they set out to prove, that everyone is an individual and you can’t judge a person by the group they are in.”
The project formed the final thesis for the artist’s MA in Jewellry Design at the London Metropolitan University last September. This week the culmination of her course and the unique Travellers project is revealed in an exquisitely detailed book entitled This is Me, launched at the Irish Embassy in London on Tuesday.
“The book explains how I went about this as an artist and where I stepped back to let the women decide what things they would do within it,” Laura explained. “A lot of community projects are focused on end results but this was about each person learning from the other and having new experiences and that was achieved on all levels. I learnt as much from the group and BIAS as they all learnt from each other and all of this fuelled the work and fed into it.” She added: “It even inspired a new collection of my work based on my experiences in the project.
Shaftesbury Travellers site will be 'safe and secure' - Dorset
From the BBC
Work has begun on a new Travellers site in Shaftesbury to help meet demand across Dorset.
The site off the A30 is expected to be complete in June 2013 and will house eight static caravans with facilities for showers and toilets.
Residents will have to apply to be tenants and pay rent for their pitches.
Dorset County Council is currently investigating suitable sites for Travellers across the county following a recent public consultation.
An existing access road to the former Gypsy site on nearby land will be extended to the new site in Shaftesbury.
The site has temporary planning permission for 10 years and is located on the proposed Shaftesbury bypass corridor, which is not planned to be built in that time.
'Very unlikely'
Dorset County Council leader Angus Campbell said: "It is now necessary to provide such sites and this is a valuable step forward in providing a secure and safe place where Travellers can stay."
More than 10,000 responses were received by Dorset councils along with 32 petitions and 6,000 signatures as part of its county-wide consultation held between November last year and February.
Individual district councils are now considering their responses and where sites could be built.
Bournemouth Borough Council has said it is "very unlikely" to find suitable sites, with four in the area already deemed inappropriate.
Neighbouring Poole Borough Council has already rejected three sites. A dozen sites have also been proposed in west Dorset, including two at Beaminster and one in Bridport.
see also: New environmentally-friendly Travellers’ site underway in Shaftesbury
Work has begun on a new Travellers site in Shaftesbury to help meet demand across Dorset.
The site off the A30 is expected to be complete in June 2013 and will house eight static caravans with facilities for showers and toilets.
Residents will have to apply to be tenants and pay rent for their pitches.
Dorset County Council is currently investigating suitable sites for Travellers across the county following a recent public consultation.
An existing access road to the former Gypsy site on nearby land will be extended to the new site in Shaftesbury.
The site has temporary planning permission for 10 years and is located on the proposed Shaftesbury bypass corridor, which is not planned to be built in that time.
'Very unlikely'
Dorset County Council leader Angus Campbell said: "It is now necessary to provide such sites and this is a valuable step forward in providing a secure and safe place where Travellers can stay."
More than 10,000 responses were received by Dorset councils along with 32 petitions and 6,000 signatures as part of its county-wide consultation held between November last year and February.
Individual district councils are now considering their responses and where sites could be built.
Bournemouth Borough Council has said it is "very unlikely" to find suitable sites, with four in the area already deemed inappropriate.
Neighbouring Poole Borough Council has already rejected three sites. A dozen sites have also been proposed in west Dorset, including two at Beaminster and one in Bridport.
see also: New environmentally-friendly Travellers’ site underway in Shaftesbury
Travellers are back on Silver Lane, Risley - Cheshire
From This Is Cheshire
TRAVELLERS have returned to the spot they were ordered to leave by the council five months ago.
The group, which has set up camp off Silver Lane, Risley, left the site in April this year after Warrington Borough Council secured an order from Warrington Magistrates Court.
But nearby residents were despaired to see the Travellers have returned in the last week and the situation is ‘worse than it has ever been’.
One disgruntled homeowner added: “There are more than 35 caravans parked on the public footpath completely blocking it.
“There are also horseboxes parked on the other side of the road and their associated vehicles parked all over Silver Lane.
“It is totally impassable by vehicle and it would be impossible to now drive down Silver Lane.”
Residents are now waiting to see what action the council will take next.
TRAVELLERS have returned to the spot they were ordered to leave by the council five months ago.
The group, which has set up camp off Silver Lane, Risley, left the site in April this year after Warrington Borough Council secured an order from Warrington Magistrates Court.
But nearby residents were despaired to see the Travellers have returned in the last week and the situation is ‘worse than it has ever been’.
One disgruntled homeowner added: “There are more than 35 caravans parked on the public footpath completely blocking it.
“There are also horseboxes parked on the other side of the road and their associated vehicles parked all over Silver Lane.
“It is totally impassable by vehicle and it would be impossible to now drive down Silver Lane.”
Residents are now waiting to see what action the council will take next.
Police criticised over response to Travellers in Chichester - Sussex
From the Chichester Observer
THE police response to invasions by Travellers of land in the Chichester district faced criticism at a district council meeting.
Cllr Quentin Cox said the response was ‘equivocal to say the least’.
“It seems strange to me that even if people cannot be moved on, there is still no excuse over criminal damage,” he said.
“If there is criminal damage, then the police should act.”
Chairman Peter Clementson said, from the district council’s point of view, things were being done.
However, the police said they would not move people on unless they had somewhere to move them on to.
“Until this council is in a position to offer them sites, which is part of the structure plan, we are remiss in that respect,” he added.
Cllr Rob Hayes said Southbourne recently had two lots of Travellers – once at the Bourne School and then at the recreation ground.
“In between times, they created even more havoc elsewhere,” he said.
Southbourne had to face the cost of taking the travellers to court twice and also faced the cost of clearing up and of repairs, particularly at the recreation ground where the area behind the pavilion was used as a toilet.
“We should ask the police to be a little more responsive,” said Cllr Hayes.
Environment director Steve Carvell said there was a significant issue in terms of the provision of adequate and appropriate sites for the travelling community.
“We are on something of a back foot in terms of the level of provision in this district, which doesn’t help,” he added.
Paul Over, executive director of support services and the economy, said, in terms of the council’s own land, they moved as quickly as the law enabled them to.
“We have to be careful, and have to follow procedure, because the police will not direct Travellers to a site where one does not exist,” he said, adding they had to go through a process which involved going to court, and they did this as expeditiously as possible.
“The process we have to go through generally takes about five to seven days to complete,” Mr Over explained. The district council did not have a duty to pursue this on behalf of parishes, but did give advice.
THE police response to invasions by Travellers of land in the Chichester district faced criticism at a district council meeting.
Cllr Quentin Cox said the response was ‘equivocal to say the least’.
“It seems strange to me that even if people cannot be moved on, there is still no excuse over criminal damage,” he said.
“If there is criminal damage, then the police should act.”
Chairman Peter Clementson said, from the district council’s point of view, things were being done.
However, the police said they would not move people on unless they had somewhere to move them on to.
“Until this council is in a position to offer them sites, which is part of the structure plan, we are remiss in that respect,” he added.
Cllr Rob Hayes said Southbourne recently had two lots of Travellers – once at the Bourne School and then at the recreation ground.
“In between times, they created even more havoc elsewhere,” he said.
Southbourne had to face the cost of taking the travellers to court twice and also faced the cost of clearing up and of repairs, particularly at the recreation ground where the area behind the pavilion was used as a toilet.
“We should ask the police to be a little more responsive,” said Cllr Hayes.
Environment director Steve Carvell said there was a significant issue in terms of the provision of adequate and appropriate sites for the travelling community.
“We are on something of a back foot in terms of the level of provision in this district, which doesn’t help,” he added.
Paul Over, executive director of support services and the economy, said, in terms of the council’s own land, they moved as quickly as the law enabled them to.
“We have to be careful, and have to follow procedure, because the police will not direct Travellers to a site where one does not exist,” he said, adding they had to go through a process which involved going to court, and they did this as expeditiously as possible.
“The process we have to go through generally takes about five to seven days to complete,” Mr Over explained. The district council did not have a duty to pursue this on behalf of parishes, but did give advice.
Tuesday 23 October 2012
Travellers need sites and basic services, not eviction notices
From the Socialist Workers' Party
Last Friday marked a year to the day since the police assault on Dale Farm in Essex, previously Britain’s largest Traveller site.
To mark the anniversary, the Traveller Solidarity Network took its struggle right to the doorstep of central government in an attempt to “evict Eric Pickles” from the Department of Communities and Local Government. The department has legislated to strengthen eviction powers, and funded part of last year’s operation.
Some 200 supporters formed a lively demonstration in the pouring rain, climbing on the roof to paste up eviction notices on the building.
The heavy handed police response in bringing out dogs forced some of the Travellers present to relive the traumas of last year’s eviction, and a number of supporters were arrested for breach of the peace.
Of course the disruption caused was minuscule compared to the wholesale destruction of a community—and the continuing lack of access to basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation faced by many Dale Farm Travellers.
The demonstration highlighted the continued situation at Dale Farm, where over 20 trailers still line the roadside with nowhere else to go. Basildon council now plans a second eviction in the coming months.
The Fight For Sites campaign has been set up to campaign locally and nationally for better site provision for Travellers—the only feasible solution to end the cycle of evictions.
The alternative—which is the unspoken agenda of Pickles’ Localism Act—is assimilation, and it’s not far off. Already over half of Britain’s Travellers and Romanies live against their will in bricks and mortar accommodation.
These communities bear the brunt of scapegoating. They need our solidarity as anti-racists who know where the real enemies are. For more information contact travellersolidarity@riseup.net
Last Friday marked a year to the day since the police assault on Dale Farm in Essex, previously Britain’s largest Traveller site.
To mark the anniversary, the Traveller Solidarity Network took its struggle right to the doorstep of central government in an attempt to “evict Eric Pickles” from the Department of Communities and Local Government. The department has legislated to strengthen eviction powers, and funded part of last year’s operation.
Some 200 supporters formed a lively demonstration in the pouring rain, climbing on the roof to paste up eviction notices on the building.
The heavy handed police response in bringing out dogs forced some of the Travellers present to relive the traumas of last year’s eviction, and a number of supporters were arrested for breach of the peace.
Of course the disruption caused was minuscule compared to the wholesale destruction of a community—and the continuing lack of access to basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation faced by many Dale Farm Travellers.
The demonstration highlighted the continued situation at Dale Farm, where over 20 trailers still line the roadside with nowhere else to go. Basildon council now plans a second eviction in the coming months.
The Fight For Sites campaign has been set up to campaign locally and nationally for better site provision for Travellers—the only feasible solution to end the cycle of evictions.
The alternative—which is the unspoken agenda of Pickles’ Localism Act—is assimilation, and it’s not far off. Already over half of Britain’s Travellers and Romanies live against their will in bricks and mortar accommodation.
These communities bear the brunt of scapegoating. They need our solidarity as anti-racists who know where the real enemies are. For more information contact travellersolidarity@riseup.net
Travelling families in campsite plea - Lancashire
From the Chorley Guardian
A group of Travellers will hold a public meeting this week as they continue their ongoing struggle to remain on their Chorley campsite.
The Travellers - two Romany Gypsy families living on land at Hut Lane, Heath Charnock - say they want the wider public to hear of their plight.
The families – the Boswells and the Linfoots – have been locked in a three-year struggle with Chorley Council who want to remove them from the site.
Six months ago they were told to leave their land – where they live in six caravans – after an appeal against their campsite was dismissed.
An inquiry decided the development, on green belt land, would cause ‘harm to the character and appearance of the area’.
The decision, by the Planning Inspectorate, came two years after a similar application for a larger development was refused.
But one of the Travellers, Patty Linfoot said: “We just want to let Chorley people know what’s happening.
“Chorley people don’t know what the council are doing to us. The meeting is open to anybody, supporters or non supporters.
“They can talk to us and ask questions and they can see a bit of a slide show.”
She said the families were determined to stay, especially for the children.
“My little boy is 11 and has just started secondary school this term.
“We have got to stay. It’s for the kids. This is the whole point.
“Keeping the kids in school – this is my one hundred per cent thing behind this.
“If it wasn’t for the kids I cope couldn’t cope with it.
“We are determined to fight all the way.”
The public meeting is planned for the Fosterfield Day Centre, Eaves Lane, Chorley, tomorrow, Thursday, between 6pm and 8pm.
Representatives from Manchester-based human rights organisation Rapar have been invited to attend and speak at the meeting.
Jon Boswell and Michael Linfoot have pleaded guilty for not complying with enforcement notices for the site and sentencing is due to take place on November 12.
The council said a civil action – to get an injunction to move the families off site – is expected to go to a hearing at the county court some time in March 2013.
The authority said this was a last resort for the council which added “it had done everything it can to move them on”.
A High Court hearing is also due in November.
An initial planning application was refused and went through to the High Court where the judge agreed with the council.
A second application was submitted, for a smaller number of caravans, which was also refused by the council.
This has gone to the High Court where it is due to be heard on November 7.
The dispute dates back to June 2009 when Travellers set up home on the land at Heath Charnock.
A group of Travellers will hold a public meeting this week as they continue their ongoing struggle to remain on their Chorley campsite.
The Travellers - two Romany Gypsy families living on land at Hut Lane, Heath Charnock - say they want the wider public to hear of their plight.
The families – the Boswells and the Linfoots – have been locked in a three-year struggle with Chorley Council who want to remove them from the site.
Six months ago they were told to leave their land – where they live in six caravans – after an appeal against their campsite was dismissed.
An inquiry decided the development, on green belt land, would cause ‘harm to the character and appearance of the area’.
The decision, by the Planning Inspectorate, came two years after a similar application for a larger development was refused.
But one of the Travellers, Patty Linfoot said: “We just want to let Chorley people know what’s happening.
“Chorley people don’t know what the council are doing to us. The meeting is open to anybody, supporters or non supporters.
“They can talk to us and ask questions and they can see a bit of a slide show.”
She said the families were determined to stay, especially for the children.
“My little boy is 11 and has just started secondary school this term.
“We have got to stay. It’s for the kids. This is the whole point.
“Keeping the kids in school – this is my one hundred per cent thing behind this.
“If it wasn’t for the kids I cope couldn’t cope with it.
“We are determined to fight all the way.”
The public meeting is planned for the Fosterfield Day Centre, Eaves Lane, Chorley, tomorrow, Thursday, between 6pm and 8pm.
Representatives from Manchester-based human rights organisation Rapar have been invited to attend and speak at the meeting.
Jon Boswell and Michael Linfoot have pleaded guilty for not complying with enforcement notices for the site and sentencing is due to take place on November 12.
The council said a civil action – to get an injunction to move the families off site – is expected to go to a hearing at the county court some time in March 2013.
The authority said this was a last resort for the council which added “it had done everything it can to move them on”.
A High Court hearing is also due in November.
An initial planning application was refused and went through to the High Court where the judge agreed with the council.
A second application was submitted, for a smaller number of caravans, which was also refused by the council.
This has gone to the High Court where it is due to be heard on November 7.
The dispute dates back to June 2009 when Travellers set up home on the land at Heath Charnock.
Council drops potential Traveller sites in Bournemouth - Dorset
From the Daily Echo
BOURNEMOUTH council’s leader has said that four sites earmarked for Travellers in the town will not be considered further.
It will be welcome news for residents, many of whom have campaigned against using the sites put forward for use by travellers after the government asked all councils to find land.
It comes as the county-wide consultation to find suitable sites moves into its next phase.
The county council said that almost 10,000 individual response and 32 petitions containing more than 6,000 signatures had been received.
A report has been compiled and is available on the dorsetforyou.com website.
But Bournemouth council leader Cllr John Beesley said: “Bournemouth remains committed to the Joint Development Planning Document (DPD) process.
“However, having considered the nature and number of responses presented in Peter Brett Associates’ (formerly Bakers Associates) final report on the Issues and Options Public Consultation regarding the four sites identified in Bournemouth, it is clear that for sound planning reasons none of these are appropriate to be taken forward to later stages of the DPD process.
“For that reason, therefore, I can indicate that the sites included in the earlier consultation exercise, namely land near Erlin Farm, Careys Road, Throop Road and Park Road, will not be subject to further consideration and will not therefore appear in later stages of the DPD process.
“I hope that this will put at rest the minds of those residents who have understandably been expressing concern at these proposals.
“I am aware that other sites were suggested by the public as part of the consultation process. However from our knowledge of Bournemouth and the borough-wide analysis undertaken by Bakers, it is very unlikely that a suitable alternative site will be forthcoming.”
Restaurateur Alex De Freitas, pictured, who campaigned against the Park Road site, said: “I’m very pleased that the council has reached this decision, especially as Lansdowne has now been included in the Business Improvement District programme for town centre improvement.
“It would be ludicrous to place a Travellers’ in any town centre. It shows that the research carried out by the consultants didn’t take into consideration that Lansdowne was part of Bournemouth town centre. I thank all the people who filled in petitions and supported the campaign.
“Our voices have been heard.”
In a statement on behalf of all planning authorities in the county, a spokesman for the county council added: “Councils will consider carrying out a new assessment, which, once approved, will be completed in the first part of next year.
“A number of new and alternative sites were suggested by members of the public and others through the consultation process. These will be investigated by the councils with their consultants following completion of the needs assessment.”
The initial plans shortlisted sites at Turlin Road, Canford Heath Road and Bourne Valley Road in Poole.
In Bournemouth, Park Road was the only site shortlisted, while the others were listed as for “possible investigation”.
see also: The BBC - Bournemouth Gypsy site proposals rejected
BOURNEMOUTH council’s leader has said that four sites earmarked for Travellers in the town will not be considered further.
It will be welcome news for residents, many of whom have campaigned against using the sites put forward for use by travellers after the government asked all councils to find land.
It comes as the county-wide consultation to find suitable sites moves into its next phase.
The county council said that almost 10,000 individual response and 32 petitions containing more than 6,000 signatures had been received.
A report has been compiled and is available on the dorsetforyou.com website.
But Bournemouth council leader Cllr John Beesley said: “Bournemouth remains committed to the Joint Development Planning Document (DPD) process.
“However, having considered the nature and number of responses presented in Peter Brett Associates’ (formerly Bakers Associates) final report on the Issues and Options Public Consultation regarding the four sites identified in Bournemouth, it is clear that for sound planning reasons none of these are appropriate to be taken forward to later stages of the DPD process.
“For that reason, therefore, I can indicate that the sites included in the earlier consultation exercise, namely land near Erlin Farm, Careys Road, Throop Road and Park Road, will not be subject to further consideration and will not therefore appear in later stages of the DPD process.
“I hope that this will put at rest the minds of those residents who have understandably been expressing concern at these proposals.
“I am aware that other sites were suggested by the public as part of the consultation process. However from our knowledge of Bournemouth and the borough-wide analysis undertaken by Bakers, it is very unlikely that a suitable alternative site will be forthcoming.”
Restaurateur Alex De Freitas, pictured, who campaigned against the Park Road site, said: “I’m very pleased that the council has reached this decision, especially as Lansdowne has now been included in the Business Improvement District programme for town centre improvement.
“It would be ludicrous to place a Travellers’ in any town centre. It shows that the research carried out by the consultants didn’t take into consideration that Lansdowne was part of Bournemouth town centre. I thank all the people who filled in petitions and supported the campaign.
“Our voices have been heard.”
In a statement on behalf of all planning authorities in the county, a spokesman for the county council added: “Councils will consider carrying out a new assessment, which, once approved, will be completed in the first part of next year.
“A number of new and alternative sites were suggested by members of the public and others through the consultation process. These will be investigated by the councils with their consultants following completion of the needs assessment.”
The initial plans shortlisted sites at Turlin Road, Canford Heath Road and Bourne Valley Road in Poole.
In Bournemouth, Park Road was the only site shortlisted, while the others were listed as for “possible investigation”.
see also: The BBC - Bournemouth Gypsy site proposals rejected
Clearing up after Travellers costing Croydon taxpayers £3,000 per week - London
From the Coulsdon and Purley Advertiser
CROYDON taxpayers are coughing up more than £3,000 a week to clean up after Travellers.
Clearing human excrement and fixing criminal damage caused by the most persistent offenders – confirmed to be around five or six families – has cost more than £128,000 since January, Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher has revealed.
Cllr Fisher said the authority has so far had to deal with 83 illegal encampments this year and has renewed his pledge to seek injunctions to ban Travellers from camping in parks and recreation grounds.
There are fears that costs will continue to soar if tougher measures are not implemented soon.
The amount being spent on Travellers has stunned community leaders, who say the residents they represent are angry that so much is being squandered in reactive rather than proactive action.
Purley and Woodcote Residents' Association chairman Tarsem Flora said: "I'm speechless – it's a staggering figure. I can't understand how they can be accumulating this much cost.
"It just shows how desperately we need a solution to this problem – but do we have a choice?"
Charles King, chairman of East Coulsdon Residents' Association, said: "The council needs to come up with some measures to make it more difficult rather than just reacting to it. The best way would be to stop them getting into these parks in the first place, by locking up gates."
Cllr Fisher said travellers who had camped on South Croydon Recreation Ground, off Brantwood Road, had broken down barriers to get into the park, threatened residents, and used the children's play area as a toilet.
In recent weeks, caravans have also pitched on Purley Rotary Field three times and the Lion Green Road car park in Coulsdon, where residents experienced threatening behaviour.
Cllr Fisher said: "It can't be right that people are prevented from enjoying these open spaces.
"It has cost the council £128,000 to clear up their mess but why should council taxpayers have to pay for that? We are seeking an injunction through the High Court to stop them coming back.
"We want to send a clear message that parks and open spaces are there for the people of Croydon and not to be abused by these people."
Last month, Cllr Fisher tore into travellers at a question time meeting in Purley, branding them "a risk to human health".
CROYDON taxpayers are coughing up more than £3,000 a week to clean up after Travellers.
Clearing human excrement and fixing criminal damage caused by the most persistent offenders – confirmed to be around five or six families – has cost more than £128,000 since January, Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher has revealed.
Cllr Fisher said the authority has so far had to deal with 83 illegal encampments this year and has renewed his pledge to seek injunctions to ban Travellers from camping in parks and recreation grounds.
There are fears that costs will continue to soar if tougher measures are not implemented soon.
The amount being spent on Travellers has stunned community leaders, who say the residents they represent are angry that so much is being squandered in reactive rather than proactive action.
Purley and Woodcote Residents' Association chairman Tarsem Flora said: "I'm speechless – it's a staggering figure. I can't understand how they can be accumulating this much cost.
"It just shows how desperately we need a solution to this problem – but do we have a choice?"
Charles King, chairman of East Coulsdon Residents' Association, said: "The council needs to come up with some measures to make it more difficult rather than just reacting to it. The best way would be to stop them getting into these parks in the first place, by locking up gates."
Cllr Fisher said travellers who had camped on South Croydon Recreation Ground, off Brantwood Road, had broken down barriers to get into the park, threatened residents, and used the children's play area as a toilet.
In recent weeks, caravans have also pitched on Purley Rotary Field three times and the Lion Green Road car park in Coulsdon, where residents experienced threatening behaviour.
Cllr Fisher said: "It can't be right that people are prevented from enjoying these open spaces.
"It has cost the council £128,000 to clear up their mess but why should council taxpayers have to pay for that? We are seeking an injunction through the High Court to stop them coming back.
"We want to send a clear message that parks and open spaces are there for the people of Croydon and not to be abused by these people."
Last month, Cllr Fisher tore into travellers at a question time meeting in Purley, branding them "a risk to human health".
Review as Stow Gypsy horse fair gets 'out of hand'- Gloucestershire
From the Gloucestershire Echo
STOW Horse Fair is set for a major review.
Following Thursday's Gypsy gathering, Cotswold District Council will scrutinise the way it is managed and regulated.
The in-depth review of the controversial twice-yearly event comes after a joint call from the Silver community group and a new body – the multi-agency event safety advisory group (ESAG).
ESAG was set up last year by the district council to work with organisers to ensure events are safe for those attending and those affected.
The Silver group comprises members from the community including Stow and Maugersbury Action Group (SMAG), Stow town councillors, Maugersbury parish councillors, district and county councillors and police.
SMAG member Jenni Turner said: "It's a wonderful event historically but it's not a traditional fair any more.
"It's got out of hand and does need proper management. At the moment it's not a nice environment to be in.
"Too many people are around for too long without proper accommodation and there is too much public fouling.
"With proper management, it could be a very interesting, fascinating event on our doorstep."
SMAG is currently circulating its aims again to underline its stance.
"We're not some nasty back-street organisation determined to stop Gypsies having fun," she said. "Our aim is to manage the amount of time fair-goers are in the area and how they behave when they're here so the Gypsies, visitors and residents have a really enjoyable time."
Stow businesses shut up shop during fair week as they fear intimidation and shoplifting and regular customers stay away.
An estimated 74 out of 135 businesses closed last October.
SMAG will conduct a "non-biased" questionnaire asking how they are affected in the run-up, during and post-fair.
The results will go to the new review.
ESAG, which has also been working with fair organisers, is made up of members from the police, county council highways department, fire and rescue, county council trading standards, district council public protection service and legal services as well as the ambulance service.
A district council spokesman said: "This review of Stow Horse Fair aims to influence the approach to be taken by the various agencies for the future and to ensure any actions taken are lawful, equitable, proportionate and necessary."
STOW Horse Fair is set for a major review.
Following Thursday's Gypsy gathering, Cotswold District Council will scrutinise the way it is managed and regulated.
The in-depth review of the controversial twice-yearly event comes after a joint call from the Silver community group and a new body – the multi-agency event safety advisory group (ESAG).
ESAG was set up last year by the district council to work with organisers to ensure events are safe for those attending and those affected.
The Silver group comprises members from the community including Stow and Maugersbury Action Group (SMAG), Stow town councillors, Maugersbury parish councillors, district and county councillors and police.
SMAG member Jenni Turner said: "It's a wonderful event historically but it's not a traditional fair any more.
"It's got out of hand and does need proper management. At the moment it's not a nice environment to be in.
"Too many people are around for too long without proper accommodation and there is too much public fouling.
"With proper management, it could be a very interesting, fascinating event on our doorstep."
SMAG is currently circulating its aims again to underline its stance.
"We're not some nasty back-street organisation determined to stop Gypsies having fun," she said. "Our aim is to manage the amount of time fair-goers are in the area and how they behave when they're here so the Gypsies, visitors and residents have a really enjoyable time."
Stow businesses shut up shop during fair week as they fear intimidation and shoplifting and regular customers stay away.
An estimated 74 out of 135 businesses closed last October.
SMAG will conduct a "non-biased" questionnaire asking how they are affected in the run-up, during and post-fair.
The results will go to the new review.
ESAG, which has also been working with fair organisers, is made up of members from the police, county council highways department, fire and rescue, county council trading standards, district council public protection service and legal services as well as the ambulance service.
A district council spokesman said: "This review of Stow Horse Fair aims to influence the approach to be taken by the various agencies for the future and to ensure any actions taken are lawful, equitable, proportionate and necessary."
Disabled Gypsy waits to hear outcome of Cudham site legal challenge - Kent
From the Westerham Chronicle
A DISABLED Gypsy must wait to hear the outcome of a legal battle to continue living with her three children on a site near woodland at Cudham.
Charmaine Moore asked one of the country's top judges, Mrs Justice Cox, to give her another chance at securing planning permission to live on the site at Archies Stables, Cudham Lane North, Cudham,
Now the judge has reserved her decision and will give it in writing later.
The latest move by Mrs Moore follows refusal of permission first by the London Borough of Bromley, then a Government planning inspector.
She hopes to win a ruling forcing the secretary of state for communities and local communities to have her case reconsidered.
The judge has reserved her decision in order to give it in writing at a later date.
Mrs Moore, who lives on the site with her 10-year-old son and two daughters, aged 13 and 14, applied for planning permission for change of use of the land from equestrian to gypsy caravan site with one pitch.
She claimed that very special circumstances justified grant of planning permission on the green belt site, as she is disabled with joint laxity and suffers from depression.
She argued that there are a shortage of gypsy and traveller sites in the area, and that without planning permission the family could be forced to live on the roadside.
However, the planning inspector who rejected her appeal in June 2011 found that the family's circumstances were not enough to outweigh the "considerable level of harm" the development would cause to the Green Belt.
Challenging that decision, Mrs Moore claims that the harm to the character and appearance of the area could be overcome by landscaping, if the caravan site was given time to blend in.
She claims that the inspector failed to take that into account, and failed to make his reasoning clear on this issue. She also attacks his failure to grant a temporary planning permission, pending the availability of additional sites, as unreasonable and irrational.
Two years ago we first reported Mrs Moore's case.
Neighbours in her residential road were angry the Gypsy site could be a permanent feature.
Houses on Cudham Lane North fetch up to £750,000.
Mrs Moore said she hoped to become part of the Cudham community, adding: "People hear 'Gypsy Site' and they automatically jump to conclusions.
"I see people from your culture on the news all the time involved in shootings or burglary, but I don't assume that everyone does those things.
"Even though I have to apply for permission to change the land to 'Gypsy Site', it is just me living on my own, with three children in a mobile home."
Mrs Moore was born on a site in Abbey Wood but has lived all over the country. She is unable to travel any longer because of her disability.
A DISABLED Gypsy must wait to hear the outcome of a legal battle to continue living with her three children on a site near woodland at Cudham.
Charmaine Moore asked one of the country's top judges, Mrs Justice Cox, to give her another chance at securing planning permission to live on the site at Archies Stables, Cudham Lane North, Cudham,
Now the judge has reserved her decision and will give it in writing later.
The latest move by Mrs Moore follows refusal of permission first by the London Borough of Bromley, then a Government planning inspector.
She hopes to win a ruling forcing the secretary of state for communities and local communities to have her case reconsidered.
The judge has reserved her decision in order to give it in writing at a later date.
Mrs Moore, who lives on the site with her 10-year-old son and two daughters, aged 13 and 14, applied for planning permission for change of use of the land from equestrian to gypsy caravan site with one pitch.
She claimed that very special circumstances justified grant of planning permission on the green belt site, as she is disabled with joint laxity and suffers from depression.
She argued that there are a shortage of gypsy and traveller sites in the area, and that without planning permission the family could be forced to live on the roadside.
However, the planning inspector who rejected her appeal in June 2011 found that the family's circumstances were not enough to outweigh the "considerable level of harm" the development would cause to the Green Belt.
Challenging that decision, Mrs Moore claims that the harm to the character and appearance of the area could be overcome by landscaping, if the caravan site was given time to blend in.
She claims that the inspector failed to take that into account, and failed to make his reasoning clear on this issue. She also attacks his failure to grant a temporary planning permission, pending the availability of additional sites, as unreasonable and irrational.
Two years ago we first reported Mrs Moore's case.
Neighbours in her residential road were angry the Gypsy site could be a permanent feature.
Houses on Cudham Lane North fetch up to £750,000.
Mrs Moore said she hoped to become part of the Cudham community, adding: "People hear 'Gypsy Site' and they automatically jump to conclusions.
"I see people from your culture on the news all the time involved in shootings or burglary, but I don't assume that everyone does those things.
"Even though I have to apply for permission to change the land to 'Gypsy Site', it is just me living on my own, with three children in a mobile home."
Mrs Moore was born on a site in Abbey Wood but has lived all over the country. She is unable to travel any longer because of her disability.
Monday 22 October 2012
If council don’t clean up Dale Farm sewer I’ll give all my land to the Gypsies
From the Sun
HE was one of the biggest opponents of the infamous Dale Farm Gypsy camp.
But in an amazing U-turn, Len Gridley has become the travellers’ greatest ally.
He is so fed up with the state of the abandoned site in Crays Hill, Essex, that he is considering GIFTING the Travellers his land for a Dale Farm “100 times bigger”.
A year on from the £7million eviction, the 6.5-acre parcel of land is littered with rotting rubbish and dangerous debris.
Neighbour Len says: “It’s disgusting, a complete disgrace. I wish they’d never got rid of the Gypsies.
“At least the site was cared for — they had gardens and looked after the place.”
Basildon Council had promised to return it to greenbelt land.
Property developer Len, whose garden backs on to the land, says: “The council say they can’t do anything because they don’t own the land and it will cost £35million to put right.
“But they never said that before they went storming in.”
Standing near a pit where the smell of human waste is overpowering, Len says: “Now look at it, it’s being used as an open toilet.
“The smell of waste in my garden is awful. I can no longer use the garden or have my windows open.
“My place is completely overrun by rats. It’s a hell hole.
“Now I have an amazing plan of revenge if nothing is done.
“I am going to move abroad and give my land and assets to the Gypsies so they can build a new, huge Dale Farm.
“I have loads of land in Basildon. I want them to build a Dale Farm 100 times bigger.”
The Travellers set up camp illegally ten years ago after buying the former scrap metal yard, which is next to a legal Travellers’ site.
A battle spiralled all the way to the European Court of Human Rights and finally ended last October when bailiffs and riot cops stormed into the camp at 5am and evicted more than 100 Travellers.
At the time, Basildon Council leader Tony Ball strode around the site claiming a huge victory.
But Len, 53, says: “I’d like to see him come down here now.
“What exactly have they achieved? Nothing. It is much, much worse now than it was before.
“Do I regret getting rid of them? Hell, yes!”
There are still Dale Farm Gypsies at the site — now camped in a line of caravans on the lane leading up to it.
Norah Sheridan, 40, has been there for 12 months.
She said: “We have nothing. No lighting, no heating, nothing to cook on and no toilets.
“There are old, young, ill — all sorts. Life is hell here. I won’t go and look at the site. It’s heartbreaking.”
But David McPherson-Davis, a parish councillor for the area, says the council were right to act on a “major flouting” of planning law.
If they hadn’t “a lot more of these sites” would have sprung up.
Last week a team from the Environment Agency took away samples from Dale Farm to test.
Fed-up Len insists: “I hope they find something toxic so the council are forced to act.
“If they don’t, I am going to take legal action against the council myself and try to force them to return the land to greenbelt.”
Cllr Ball had told The Sun this month the land is still owned by the Travellers and the council is working through the legal and planning process.
Timeline
2001: Traveller John Sheridan buys land. Gypsies sweep in. Basildon Council serves enforcement notice.
JULY 2011: After Travellers’ human rights appeals fail, eviction notices order 90 families out by August 31.
SEPTEMBER 2011: High Court rules council cannot use “physical measures” to clear site.
OCTOBER 3 2011: Judge rules council can remove 49 of 54 plots. Travellers fight back, citing human rights infringements.
OCTOBER 12 2011: Judge rules against the travellers.
OCTOBER 19 2011: Site’s electricity cut and riot police move in to evict.
OCTOBER 20 2011: Remaining Travellers leave the site.
HE was one of the biggest opponents of the infamous Dale Farm Gypsy camp.
But in an amazing U-turn, Len Gridley has become the travellers’ greatest ally.
He is so fed up with the state of the abandoned site in Crays Hill, Essex, that he is considering GIFTING the Travellers his land for a Dale Farm “100 times bigger”.
A year on from the £7million eviction, the 6.5-acre parcel of land is littered with rotting rubbish and dangerous debris.
Neighbour Len says: “It’s disgusting, a complete disgrace. I wish they’d never got rid of the Gypsies.
“At least the site was cared for — they had gardens and looked after the place.”
Basildon Council had promised to return it to greenbelt land.
Property developer Len, whose garden backs on to the land, says: “The council say they can’t do anything because they don’t own the land and it will cost £35million to put right.
“But they never said that before they went storming in.”
Standing near a pit where the smell of human waste is overpowering, Len says: “Now look at it, it’s being used as an open toilet.
“The smell of waste in my garden is awful. I can no longer use the garden or have my windows open.
“My place is completely overrun by rats. It’s a hell hole.
“Now I have an amazing plan of revenge if nothing is done.
“I am going to move abroad and give my land and assets to the Gypsies so they can build a new, huge Dale Farm.
“I have loads of land in Basildon. I want them to build a Dale Farm 100 times bigger.”
The Travellers set up camp illegally ten years ago after buying the former scrap metal yard, which is next to a legal Travellers’ site.
A battle spiralled all the way to the European Court of Human Rights and finally ended last October when bailiffs and riot cops stormed into the camp at 5am and evicted more than 100 Travellers.
At the time, Basildon Council leader Tony Ball strode around the site claiming a huge victory.
But Len, 53, says: “I’d like to see him come down here now.
“What exactly have they achieved? Nothing. It is much, much worse now than it was before.
“Do I regret getting rid of them? Hell, yes!”
There are still Dale Farm Gypsies at the site — now camped in a line of caravans on the lane leading up to it.
Norah Sheridan, 40, has been there for 12 months.
She said: “We have nothing. No lighting, no heating, nothing to cook on and no toilets.
“There are old, young, ill — all sorts. Life is hell here. I won’t go and look at the site. It’s heartbreaking.”
But David McPherson-Davis, a parish councillor for the area, says the council were right to act on a “major flouting” of planning law.
If they hadn’t “a lot more of these sites” would have sprung up.
Last week a team from the Environment Agency took away samples from Dale Farm to test.
Fed-up Len insists: “I hope they find something toxic so the council are forced to act.
“If they don’t, I am going to take legal action against the council myself and try to force them to return the land to greenbelt.”
Cllr Ball had told The Sun this month the land is still owned by the Travellers and the council is working through the legal and planning process.
Timeline
2001: Traveller John Sheridan buys land. Gypsies sweep in. Basildon Council serves enforcement notice.
JULY 2011: After Travellers’ human rights appeals fail, eviction notices order 90 families out by August 31.
SEPTEMBER 2011: High Court rules council cannot use “physical measures” to clear site.
OCTOBER 3 2011: Judge rules council can remove 49 of 54 plots. Travellers fight back, citing human rights infringements.
OCTOBER 12 2011: Judge rules against the travellers.
OCTOBER 19 2011: Site’s electricity cut and riot police move in to evict.
OCTOBER 20 2011: Remaining Travellers leave the site.
Gypsy caravan site plans unveiled for Dragons Lane, Moston - Cheshire
From the Middlewich Guardian
PLANS have been submitted to create a Gypsy caravan site on land to the south side of Dragons Lane, Moston.
A proposal has been sent to Cheshire East Council for four pitches and hardstanding for caravans as well as utility rooms.
In a statement by Green Planning Solutions on behalf of applicant Martin Smith, it says that there is a ‘recognised need for such facilities in the area to facilitate a Gypsy lifestyle’.
But the proposal has prompted a number of objections.
One said: “I personally feel hemmed in by all this recent development.
“We chose to live here because of the peace and tranquillity which is now about to be rudely disturbed.”
To have your say, visit planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk with reference 12/3603C
PLANS have been submitted to create a Gypsy caravan site on land to the south side of Dragons Lane, Moston.
A proposal has been sent to Cheshire East Council for four pitches and hardstanding for caravans as well as utility rooms.
In a statement by Green Planning Solutions on behalf of applicant Martin Smith, it says that there is a ‘recognised need for such facilities in the area to facilitate a Gypsy lifestyle’.
But the proposal has prompted a number of objections.
One said: “I personally feel hemmed in by all this recent development.
“We chose to live here because of the peace and tranquillity which is now about to be rudely disturbed.”
To have your say, visit planning.cheshireeast.gov.uk with reference 12/3603C
Travellers allowed to stay at Aberdeen site - Abedeenshire
From the Evening News
TRAVELLERS have been allowed to pitch up for the winter in Aberdeen to keep a heavily-pregnant woman safe and well.
Aberdeen City Council bosses took the decision to let the group, who were parked at the side of the A90 on the old Stonehaven road near the Cove turn-off, camp in Calder Park over the season.
The move aims to safeguard the health and well-being of the mum-to-be and young children in the group.
TRAVELLERS have been allowed to pitch up for the winter in Aberdeen to keep a heavily-pregnant woman safe and well.
Aberdeen City Council bosses took the decision to let the group, who were parked at the side of the A90 on the old Stonehaven road near the Cove turn-off, camp in Calder Park over the season.
The move aims to safeguard the health and well-being of the mum-to-be and young children in the group.
Charity to provide education courses for Gypsies and Travellers in Lincolnshire
From the Lincolnshire Echo
A charity working to educate Lincolnshire's Traveller community has taken to the road thanks to a funding grant.
The Lincolnshire Traveller Initiative (LTI), which helps to offer training and other education courses to the county's Gypsies and Travellers, has received the £15,000 grant from national charity The Clothworker's Foundation.
The money has been used to buy a minibus which has been transformed into a mobile learning bus and is now visiting Traveller sites in Lincolnshire to offer new learning opportunities.
Paul Boucher, of the LTI, said: "We worked hard consulting with the Traveller community about their learning needs and now we can take to the road ensuring they get easier access to our services.
A charity working to educate Lincolnshire's Traveller community has taken to the road thanks to a funding grant.
The Lincolnshire Traveller Initiative (LTI), which helps to offer training and other education courses to the county's Gypsies and Travellers, has received the £15,000 grant from national charity The Clothworker's Foundation.
The money has been used to buy a minibus which has been transformed into a mobile learning bus and is now visiting Traveller sites in Lincolnshire to offer new learning opportunities.
Paul Boucher, of the LTI, said: "We worked hard consulting with the Traveller community about their learning needs and now we can take to the road ensuring they get easier access to our services.
Dale Farm comes to DCLG
From Planning Resource
It may be a year on from the eviction of Travellers at Dale Farm in Essex but feelings are still running high.
Friday afternoon saw around 120 Travellers and protestors try to storm the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) building in central London.
The mass action was staged in an attempt to ‘evict’ communities secretary Eric Pickles, according to direct action group Traveller Solidarity.
Activists held 6ft caravan cut outs to occupy the space in front of the DCLG building while around 10 protesters scaled the scaffolding at the front of the building with banners reading ‘Fight for Sites’, ‘End All Evictions’ and ‘Dale Farm Fightback’.
Reports on Twitter suggested around seven people were arrested but the protestors were eventually dispersed.
Traveller Solidarity claims that protestors hold the DCLG responsible for ‘leading the attack on traveller rights’ by increasing eviction powers and slashing regional targets for site provision.
Oscar Farrell, who resisted the eviction at Dale Farm one year ago, said: “What is happening at Dale Farm isn’t just a local dispute – it is part of Eric Pickles’ attack on traveller communities. Traveller families all over the country are being evicted and left with nowhere else to go because there aren’t enough sites.”
But will Friday’s action will be enough to change Pickles’ approach? If his recent comments and a series of measures over the last year are anything to go by, it is unlikely.
At the Conservative party conference earlier this month the communities secretary showed no signs of toning down his tough stance, pledging to ‘stop caravans in their tracks’ with new instant ‘stop notices’.
He said that “drawn out cases like Dale Farm have brought the legal system into disrepute”.
His comments followed guidance he issued in August outlining the powers available to local authorities to prevent or remove illegal encampments.
And that came after revised planning guidance published by the DCLG in March, giving local councils more powers over planning Travellers pitches rather than using central targets.
At the time the Council of Europe warned that it meant that many local authorities will plan for fewer residential pitches than they would have done in the past and accused the government of failing to safeguard the human rights of the UK’s Gypsy and Traveller population.
It’s clear that whatever action Pickles takes on cracking down on illegal encampments the issue of making sure there are enough legal sites for Gypsies and Travellers will not just go away.
Statistics produced by the department in May showed a rise in the total number of Gypsy and Traveller caravans in England in January 2012 to almost 18,750, about 400 more than the previous January. But the number of caravans on unauthorised sites had fallen. So where are they going?
Now that there are no central targets for site provision it raises the question what kind of monitoring there will be to show what the national picture is.
A DCLG spokesman said the government is providing £60 million of funding to help support authorised pitches for Travellers.
He added: “The public want to see fair play – with planning rules being upheld and action being taken against those who try to cheat the system.
“The government has already changed the law to tackle abuses of the planning system, and we propose to strengthen the law further to allow councils to stop unauthorised sites as soon as they happen, to prevent future drawn-out cases like Dale Farm.”
But if a year on from Dale Farm tensions are still emerging my guess is we may well see more direct action of the kind seen on Friday.
It may be a year on from the eviction of Travellers at Dale Farm in Essex but feelings are still running high.
Friday afternoon saw around 120 Travellers and protestors try to storm the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) building in central London.
The mass action was staged in an attempt to ‘evict’ communities secretary Eric Pickles, according to direct action group Traveller Solidarity.
Activists held 6ft caravan cut outs to occupy the space in front of the DCLG building while around 10 protesters scaled the scaffolding at the front of the building with banners reading ‘Fight for Sites’, ‘End All Evictions’ and ‘Dale Farm Fightback’.
Reports on Twitter suggested around seven people were arrested but the protestors were eventually dispersed.
Traveller Solidarity claims that protestors hold the DCLG responsible for ‘leading the attack on traveller rights’ by increasing eviction powers and slashing regional targets for site provision.
Oscar Farrell, who resisted the eviction at Dale Farm one year ago, said: “What is happening at Dale Farm isn’t just a local dispute – it is part of Eric Pickles’ attack on traveller communities. Traveller families all over the country are being evicted and left with nowhere else to go because there aren’t enough sites.”
But will Friday’s action will be enough to change Pickles’ approach? If his recent comments and a series of measures over the last year are anything to go by, it is unlikely.
At the Conservative party conference earlier this month the communities secretary showed no signs of toning down his tough stance, pledging to ‘stop caravans in their tracks’ with new instant ‘stop notices’.
He said that “drawn out cases like Dale Farm have brought the legal system into disrepute”.
His comments followed guidance he issued in August outlining the powers available to local authorities to prevent or remove illegal encampments.
And that came after revised planning guidance published by the DCLG in March, giving local councils more powers over planning Travellers pitches rather than using central targets.
At the time the Council of Europe warned that it meant that many local authorities will plan for fewer residential pitches than they would have done in the past and accused the government of failing to safeguard the human rights of the UK’s Gypsy and Traveller population.
It’s clear that whatever action Pickles takes on cracking down on illegal encampments the issue of making sure there are enough legal sites for Gypsies and Travellers will not just go away.
Statistics produced by the department in May showed a rise in the total number of Gypsy and Traveller caravans in England in January 2012 to almost 18,750, about 400 more than the previous January. But the number of caravans on unauthorised sites had fallen. So where are they going?
Now that there are no central targets for site provision it raises the question what kind of monitoring there will be to show what the national picture is.
A DCLG spokesman said the government is providing £60 million of funding to help support authorised pitches for Travellers.
He added: “The public want to see fair play – with planning rules being upheld and action being taken against those who try to cheat the system.
“The government has already changed the law to tackle abuses of the planning system, and we propose to strengthen the law further to allow councils to stop unauthorised sites as soon as they happen, to prevent future drawn-out cases like Dale Farm.”
But if a year on from Dale Farm tensions are still emerging my guess is we may well see more direct action of the kind seen on Friday.
Call for action as travellers move on to Hotham Road North site in west Hull - Yorkshire
From the Hull Daily Mail
RESIDENTS are calling for action after Travellers returned to west Hull.
A number of caravans arrived at the Hotham Road North site, near Bricknell Avenue, on Friday.
People living in the area say some of the children have been climbing up lamp-posts and causing problems.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "They are behind bungalows and the elderly living in them do not need this kind of harassment, noise and filth.
"We called the council and we were told that they knew they would be arriving.
"Something needs to be done about it and we want action to be taken."
One woman, who lives with her husband near to the site, said the Travellers are regulars in the Barrowman pub.
She said: "We've never had them on this site before and, although it's more hygienic to use the toilets in the pub, they probably wouldn't be here if they couldn't.
"After a few caravans came over on Friday, lots came on Saturday and the Travellers were everywhere.
"I feel so sorry for the elderly people who live in the area and I've noticed they've had their lights on late into the night, which they don't usually."
The woman said she had phoned the council to complain and hopes the Travellers leave as soon as possible.
It is the third time travellers have been near Bricknell Avenue in the past year, although they've stayed on different sites.
The woman said: "They seem to have a lot of children with them and they all have bicycles and have been climbing up trees and lamp-posts.
"We don't have many children living around here and those who do are very well-behaved."
One neighbour said: "We can hear the generator buzzing away and we've seen them around here a few times."
Erica Richardson, who runs the Barrowman Pub, said she's happy to let the Travellers use her facilities.
She said: "I'm doing the Travellers and the community a favour.
"I'm having problems with residents because they don't like them coming in here but all of the regulars know them.
"If they were fighting it would be another story but everyone gets on with them and they are really friendly and polite.
"If people just took two minutes to say hello and actually talk to them they might find that out.
"But if people are nasty to them, they will be nasty back. It's just human nature."
RESIDENTS are calling for action after Travellers returned to west Hull.
A number of caravans arrived at the Hotham Road North site, near Bricknell Avenue, on Friday.
People living in the area say some of the children have been climbing up lamp-posts and causing problems.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "They are behind bungalows and the elderly living in them do not need this kind of harassment, noise and filth.
"We called the council and we were told that they knew they would be arriving.
"Something needs to be done about it and we want action to be taken."
One woman, who lives with her husband near to the site, said the Travellers are regulars in the Barrowman pub.
She said: "We've never had them on this site before and, although it's more hygienic to use the toilets in the pub, they probably wouldn't be here if they couldn't.
"After a few caravans came over on Friday, lots came on Saturday and the Travellers were everywhere.
"I feel so sorry for the elderly people who live in the area and I've noticed they've had their lights on late into the night, which they don't usually."
The woman said she had phoned the council to complain and hopes the Travellers leave as soon as possible.
It is the third time travellers have been near Bricknell Avenue in the past year, although they've stayed on different sites.
The woman said: "They seem to have a lot of children with them and they all have bicycles and have been climbing up trees and lamp-posts.
"We don't have many children living around here and those who do are very well-behaved."
One neighbour said: "We can hear the generator buzzing away and we've seen them around here a few times."
Erica Richardson, who runs the Barrowman Pub, said she's happy to let the Travellers use her facilities.
She said: "I'm doing the Travellers and the community a favour.
"I'm having problems with residents because they don't like them coming in here but all of the regulars know them.
"If they were fighting it would be another story but everyone gets on with them and they are really friendly and polite.
"If people just took two minutes to say hello and actually talk to them they might find that out.
"But if people are nasty to them, they will be nasty back. It's just human nature."
£30k fences plan to halt Travellers in Hyndburn - Lancashire
From the Lancashire Telegraph
A PLAN could see high fences installed at a Traveller hot spot.
Hyndburn Council plans to install fences to bar caravan access to Bolton Avenue Recreation Ground in Huncoat.
The plan, to go before councillors next week, is proposed to put an end to regular problems in the area with illegal encampments.
One traveller camp this summer saw several caravans on the pitches at Huncoat United Junior Football Club in Bolton Avenue, leading to fears that newly-reseeded playing surfaces have been damaged.
After complaints from residents and local MP Graham Jones, who lives just yards away, Hyndburn Council won a court order to remove the travellers.
A report to go in front of councillors said the new fencing would save funds as staff costs to remove encampments can be between £3,000 and £6,000 a time.
Although the fencing will cost £30,000, the council said it should make its money back in ten years.
Coun Nick Whittaker said he was delighted at the proposal to spend money on the problem. He said: “I think it is a great idea.
“We have had years and years of misery and mounting costs because of this issue.
“It’s worked in other areas and now it’s Huncoat’s turn to have some money spent on prevention rather than cure.”
The report to go before councillors said removal of illegal camps could prove costly.
It said: “Social services staff are often involved, especially if any children or vulnerable adults are present and there is usually a clear-up operation afterwards, which involves Environmental Services staff. The estimated cost of removing and clearing up after an unauthorised encampment is on average around £3,000 per occasion per site.
“This figure could double should court appearances be required.”
Council officers hope to repeat success achieved at Knuzden Recreation ground, which was a site routinely subject to encampments each summer until similar fencing made caravan access impossible.
The plan is recommended for approval to “reduce unnecessary distress caused by residents during such visits”.
A PLAN could see high fences installed at a Traveller hot spot.
Hyndburn Council plans to install fences to bar caravan access to Bolton Avenue Recreation Ground in Huncoat.
The plan, to go before councillors next week, is proposed to put an end to regular problems in the area with illegal encampments.
One traveller camp this summer saw several caravans on the pitches at Huncoat United Junior Football Club in Bolton Avenue, leading to fears that newly-reseeded playing surfaces have been damaged.
After complaints from residents and local MP Graham Jones, who lives just yards away, Hyndburn Council won a court order to remove the travellers.
A report to go in front of councillors said the new fencing would save funds as staff costs to remove encampments can be between £3,000 and £6,000 a time.
Although the fencing will cost £30,000, the council said it should make its money back in ten years.
Coun Nick Whittaker said he was delighted at the proposal to spend money on the problem. He said: “I think it is a great idea.
“We have had years and years of misery and mounting costs because of this issue.
“It’s worked in other areas and now it’s Huncoat’s turn to have some money spent on prevention rather than cure.”
The report to go before councillors said removal of illegal camps could prove costly.
It said: “Social services staff are often involved, especially if any children or vulnerable adults are present and there is usually a clear-up operation afterwards, which involves Environmental Services staff. The estimated cost of removing and clearing up after an unauthorised encampment is on average around £3,000 per occasion per site.
“This figure could double should court appearances be required.”
Council officers hope to repeat success achieved at Knuzden Recreation ground, which was a site routinely subject to encampments each summer until similar fencing made caravan access impossible.
The plan is recommended for approval to “reduce unnecessary distress caused by residents during such visits”.
‘No’ to Nutbourne Gypsy site proposal - Sussex
From the Chichester Times
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new development for Gypsies at Nutbourne would be ‘hugely detrimental’ to the Chichester Harbour area of outstanding natural beauty, district councillors were warned.
Local residents and a representative of Southbourne Parish Council appeared at a meeting of the southern area development management committee to spell out their opposition to the scheme, and there was also a strong objection from Chichester Harbour Conservancy.
After hearing the objections, the committee voted 8-1 to refuse planning permission on the grounds the site was within the rural area, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a strategic gap, and because its scale and intensity would have an adverse impact on the character and amenity of the area.
Consent was being sought for two mobile homes, two Gypsy caravan pitches and two utility day rooms on a site east of Nutbourne Park, in Main Road. Planning officers recommended approval.
Parish council vice-chairman Mark Everson said 99 letters objecting to the development had been submitted, expressing concern about the effect on the area.
Local resident Roy Seabrook, who lives immediately adjacent to the site, said the Environment Agency, Gypsy guidelines and the harbour conservancy all insisted that for a new site like this, sewerage should be connected to the mains.
“The proposed six-person package treatment unit is too small for two large families and visitors, and will therefore be unreliable,” he warned.
“It disregards environmental guidelines in that it is too close to a site of special scientific interest, discharges into a dry ditch and is less than 30m from a mains sewer.”
He said the proposals showed a flagrant disregard for government guidelines.
“Travellers deserve sites with proper facilities in locations that will not trigger instant conflict with the settled community in the middle of which it is to be embedded,” he declared.
A submission by agents for applicant John Merriman claimed the buildings had been designed to minimise their visual impact but allow convenient access.
They also said it would be a significant improvement compared with the existing site and there was an unmet need for Gypsy pitches.
But Cllr Rob Hayes successfully moved for permission to be refused saying it was not a viable site, particularly due to a serious issue with flooding.
“This is not suitable for living, whether a Gypsy or a house resident,” he said.
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new development for Gypsies at Nutbourne would be ‘hugely detrimental’ to the Chichester Harbour area of outstanding natural beauty, district councillors were warned.
Local residents and a representative of Southbourne Parish Council appeared at a meeting of the southern area development management committee to spell out their opposition to the scheme, and there was also a strong objection from Chichester Harbour Conservancy.
After hearing the objections, the committee voted 8-1 to refuse planning permission on the grounds the site was within the rural area, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a strategic gap, and because its scale and intensity would have an adverse impact on the character and amenity of the area.
Consent was being sought for two mobile homes, two Gypsy caravan pitches and two utility day rooms on a site east of Nutbourne Park, in Main Road. Planning officers recommended approval.
Parish council vice-chairman Mark Everson said 99 letters objecting to the development had been submitted, expressing concern about the effect on the area.
Local resident Roy Seabrook, who lives immediately adjacent to the site, said the Environment Agency, Gypsy guidelines and the harbour conservancy all insisted that for a new site like this, sewerage should be connected to the mains.
“The proposed six-person package treatment unit is too small for two large families and visitors, and will therefore be unreliable,” he warned.
“It disregards environmental guidelines in that it is too close to a site of special scientific interest, discharges into a dry ditch and is less than 30m from a mains sewer.”
He said the proposals showed a flagrant disregard for government guidelines.
“Travellers deserve sites with proper facilities in locations that will not trigger instant conflict with the settled community in the middle of which it is to be embedded,” he declared.
A submission by agents for applicant John Merriman claimed the buildings had been designed to minimise their visual impact but allow convenient access.
They also said it would be a significant improvement compared with the existing site and there was an unmet need for Gypsy pitches.
But Cllr Rob Hayes successfully moved for permission to be refused saying it was not a viable site, particularly due to a serious issue with flooding.
“This is not suitable for living, whether a Gypsy or a house resident,” he said.
Sunday 21 October 2012
Has Big Fat Gypsy Wedding affected your children's education?
David Enright, the solicitor who led the successful campaign to challenge the Channel 4 "Bigger, Fatter, Gypsier" campaign has asked any families whose children have experiences abuse or attacks related in any way to the broadcasts or advertising campaign to contact him at d.enright@howe.co.uk or phone 0800 157 7070
Travellers convoy comes to York - Yorkshire
From the Press
A GATHERING of Travellers from throughout the region saw a spectacular convoy of horses and traps set off from Hull Road today.
The impromptu but peaceful meeting took residents and police by surprise as about 30 horse and traps and hundreds of Travellers stopped at Tang Hall Working Mens Club for more than an this afternoon.
Travellers came from as far as Durham and Halifax for the event, which began in Murton and ended with the vehicles, many laden with adults and children, making their way past the University of York to the village of Heslington.
Officers at the scene said they were previously unaware the event was taking place. The Press understands it may have been held as a tribute to a deceased member of the travelling community.
A GATHERING of Travellers from throughout the region saw a spectacular convoy of horses and traps set off from Hull Road today.
The impromptu but peaceful meeting took residents and police by surprise as about 30 horse and traps and hundreds of Travellers stopped at Tang Hall Working Mens Club for more than an this afternoon.
Travellers came from as far as Durham and Halifax for the event, which began in Murton and ended with the vehicles, many laden with adults and children, making their way past the University of York to the village of Heslington.
Officers at the scene said they were previously unaware the event was taking place. The Press understands it may have been held as a tribute to a deceased member of the travelling community.
'Rigorous' review of Travellers policies - Swansea
From the south Wales Evening Post
GYPSY Traveller policy will be reviewed by Swansea Council and an external officer to make sure there are no allegations of bias.
Council leader David Phillips told members of the authority how a shortlist for a second permanent site in the county was chosen would go through a rigorous process which would be clear and open to the public.
Across Swansea, 1,006 possible sites have been whittled down to 19, and then to five.
Mr Phillips said working group procedures on the policy were correct, but in order to remove "any potential for bias against officers, i.e, pushing one site over another" it would be reviewed internally and externally.
The public will also be able to have its say.
A Swansea Council head of service will review the process. If he or she says the process was okay, it will then be reviewed externally, most likely by a neighbouring authority
If the external reviewer says the process for the shortlist — put together by a council task and finish group — was correct, Swansea Council will put the matter out for consultation.
During that period, which is likely to last three months, all the information will be made available on the council's website — from the long-list to the short-list and the reasons sites were accepted or rejected and how those decisions were made.
Members of the public will then be invited to give their opinion.
A consultation report — including the view of the public — will then go before the council to make a decision.
However, if the external reviewer finds a problem, the process could start again from scratch.
The need to identify a second permanent site in the City and County of Swansea followed a housing needs assessment as part of the council's statutory requirement to adopt a housing strategy.
Mr Phillips said at a full council meeting at the Civic Centre: "It will be judged entirely on a professional assessment. I hope that this review once and for all shows that there has been nothing underhand by this council or this administration."
GYPSY Traveller policy will be reviewed by Swansea Council and an external officer to make sure there are no allegations of bias.
Council leader David Phillips told members of the authority how a shortlist for a second permanent site in the county was chosen would go through a rigorous process which would be clear and open to the public.
Across Swansea, 1,006 possible sites have been whittled down to 19, and then to five.
Mr Phillips said working group procedures on the policy were correct, but in order to remove "any potential for bias against officers, i.e, pushing one site over another" it would be reviewed internally and externally.
The public will also be able to have its say.
A Swansea Council head of service will review the process. If he or she says the process was okay, it will then be reviewed externally, most likely by a neighbouring authority
If the external reviewer says the process for the shortlist — put together by a council task and finish group — was correct, Swansea Council will put the matter out for consultation.
During that period, which is likely to last three months, all the information will be made available on the council's website — from the long-list to the short-list and the reasons sites were accepted or rejected and how those decisions were made.
Members of the public will then be invited to give their opinion.
A consultation report — including the view of the public — will then go before the council to make a decision.
However, if the external reviewer finds a problem, the process could start again from scratch.
The need to identify a second permanent site in the City and County of Swansea followed a housing needs assessment as part of the council's statutory requirement to adopt a housing strategy.
Mr Phillips said at a full council meeting at the Civic Centre: "It will be judged entirely on a professional assessment. I hope that this review once and for all shows that there has been nothing underhand by this council or this administration."
Planning applications for Gypsy and Traveller sites expected in early 2013 - Cheshire
From wilmslow.co.uk
The Leader of Cheshire East Council has signalled a move forward for Gypsy and Traveller sites, saying that planning applications for selected sites could be submitted as early as next year.
Councillor Michael Jones said: "We are committed to finding suitable sites for our Traveller and Gypsy communities, but it must be the right site with the right facilities so that this community can live in harmony.
"We have recently consulted our residents on the Local Plan, which identifies sites for sustainable growth over the next two decades, and sites will ultimately be identified through this process.
"However, there does seem to be a lack of public confidence about where the right sites are, but we would like to reassure residents that we are committed to getting this right first time round.
"With our partners in Cheshire West and Warrington we will be commissioning a fresh Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment to ensure that we are basing our approach on up-to-date information about the scale and location of accommodation needs.
"There is discussion on several sites ongoing and we are hopeful that applications will be bought forward early next year."
The Leader of Cheshire East Council has signalled a move forward for Gypsy and Traveller sites, saying that planning applications for selected sites could be submitted as early as next year.
Councillor Michael Jones said: "We are committed to finding suitable sites for our Traveller and Gypsy communities, but it must be the right site with the right facilities so that this community can live in harmony.
"We have recently consulted our residents on the Local Plan, which identifies sites for sustainable growth over the next two decades, and sites will ultimately be identified through this process.
"However, there does seem to be a lack of public confidence about where the right sites are, but we would like to reassure residents that we are committed to getting this right first time round.
"With our partners in Cheshire West and Warrington we will be commissioning a fresh Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment to ensure that we are basing our approach on up-to-date information about the scale and location of accommodation needs.
"There is discussion on several sites ongoing and we are hopeful that applications will be bought forward early next year."
Saturday 20 October 2012
Former Dale Farm residents 'left living in squalor' after eviction
The Guardian
Scores of Travellers removed from the Dale Farm site near Basildon in Essex 12 months ago have suffered mental or physical illness after being forced to live in "squalor" following the controversial eviction, according to a report by MPs.
The report into the living conditions of those forced from the Essex plot during the £7.2m eviction operation found that many have reported health complaints due to unhygienic and unsuitable living conditions. It expressed concern that families who had moved to a nearby plot had no access to toilets. Some even had no electricity and sanitation was judged to be poor.
As a result, the Dale Farm plot is now rat-infested and covered with human excrement, posing a further health hazard. Impetigo, chickenpox and diarrhoea have swept through the encampment, with children affected by vomiting bouts. Residents say many of the women at Dale Farm were prescribed antidepressants before the eviction and, more than a year later, are still on them.
Following a site visit last month by the all-party parliamentary group for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, MPs say that the health of former Dale Farm residents has deteriorated due to the conditions they have experienced since the eviction. It said: "The delegation found that many of the residents are highly vulnerable and have serious conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, osteoporosis, Crohn's disease, bowel cancer, Down's syndrome etc.
"Members of the Red Cross again stated their continued concerns regarding the physical and mental health of the Travellers, lack of sanitation and the possible health threats posed by the evicted site."
The report said that mothers and young children were particularly vulnerable, with one baby born at the roadside encampment two weeks ago and consternation that midwife visits to women living on the temporary site were suspended for eight months.
Another longer-term health concern follows growing fears that the Environment Agency may have found asbestos on the site. Documents seen by the Observer reveal that soil exhibits taken by Environment Agency officials from Dale Farm plots were recorded as having "suspected asbestos".
The Environment Agency report on whether the eviction uncovered pollutants is expected at the end of the month . Many residents, according to the Gypsy Council, are on repeat courses of antibiotics for chest infections.
Of the 86 families who lived on the Dale Farm site, a largely illegal settlement, around 20 have moved to the temporary camp on a private access road just 100 metres away. A further 20 live nearby on a legal site, while another 20 are travelling in two convoys around the Midlands, where they are frequently moved on by the authorities. The remainder have found accommodation at a caravan site at Fen, Leighton Buzzard, in Bedfordshire, where last year police rescued 24 modern-day slaves from bondage and "filthy and cramped" conditions.
Many of the men have opted to work abroad, leaving women alone to cope with the unsuitable conditions for long periods.
Those who remain at the temporary camp on the roadside near Dale Farm say they have endured psychological anguish since losing their homes. Patrick Egan, who has been unable to work since falling into a ditch on the Dale Farm camp and breaking his ankle, admits he is among those who has sought psychiatric help. He said: "It has got to me."
Despite complaints from nearby villagers that the eviction did little to improve the area, Tony Ball, leader of Basildon council, maintains that the site clearance was not a failure. He said: "The objective of the site clearance was to remedy the illegal development in the area, and this objective was achieved. Clearly, we still have an issue with Travellers living on the Oak Lane roadside who should not be there."
David McPherson-Davis, a parish councillor for the area, is pleased to see at least some of the Travellers go. "Personally I feel the site clearance was good value for money. If it hadn't happened it would have created a precedent for Irish Travellers to occupy land and develop it without any concern for local inhabitants."
Those Travellers living on the roadside have been served with enforcement notices to leave.
Scores of Travellers removed from the Dale Farm site near Basildon in Essex 12 months ago have suffered mental or physical illness after being forced to live in "squalor" following the controversial eviction, according to a report by MPs.
The report into the living conditions of those forced from the Essex plot during the £7.2m eviction operation found that many have reported health complaints due to unhygienic and unsuitable living conditions. It expressed concern that families who had moved to a nearby plot had no access to toilets. Some even had no electricity and sanitation was judged to be poor.
As a result, the Dale Farm plot is now rat-infested and covered with human excrement, posing a further health hazard. Impetigo, chickenpox and diarrhoea have swept through the encampment, with children affected by vomiting bouts. Residents say many of the women at Dale Farm were prescribed antidepressants before the eviction and, more than a year later, are still on them.
Following a site visit last month by the all-party parliamentary group for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, MPs say that the health of former Dale Farm residents has deteriorated due to the conditions they have experienced since the eviction. It said: "The delegation found that many of the residents are highly vulnerable and have serious conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, osteoporosis, Crohn's disease, bowel cancer, Down's syndrome etc.
"Members of the Red Cross again stated their continued concerns regarding the physical and mental health of the Travellers, lack of sanitation and the possible health threats posed by the evicted site."
The report said that mothers and young children were particularly vulnerable, with one baby born at the roadside encampment two weeks ago and consternation that midwife visits to women living on the temporary site were suspended for eight months.
Another longer-term health concern follows growing fears that the Environment Agency may have found asbestos on the site. Documents seen by the Observer reveal that soil exhibits taken by Environment Agency officials from Dale Farm plots were recorded as having "suspected asbestos".
The Environment Agency report on whether the eviction uncovered pollutants is expected at the end of the month . Many residents, according to the Gypsy Council, are on repeat courses of antibiotics for chest infections.
Of the 86 families who lived on the Dale Farm site, a largely illegal settlement, around 20 have moved to the temporary camp on a private access road just 100 metres away. A further 20 live nearby on a legal site, while another 20 are travelling in two convoys around the Midlands, where they are frequently moved on by the authorities. The remainder have found accommodation at a caravan site at Fen, Leighton Buzzard, in Bedfordshire, where last year police rescued 24 modern-day slaves from bondage and "filthy and cramped" conditions.
Many of the men have opted to work abroad, leaving women alone to cope with the unsuitable conditions for long periods.
Those who remain at the temporary camp on the roadside near Dale Farm say they have endured psychological anguish since losing their homes. Patrick Egan, who has been unable to work since falling into a ditch on the Dale Farm camp and breaking his ankle, admits he is among those who has sought psychiatric help. He said: "It has got to me."
Despite complaints from nearby villagers that the eviction did little to improve the area, Tony Ball, leader of Basildon council, maintains that the site clearance was not a failure. He said: "The objective of the site clearance was to remedy the illegal development in the area, and this objective was achieved. Clearly, we still have an issue with Travellers living on the Oak Lane roadside who should not be there."
David McPherson-Davis, a parish councillor for the area, is pleased to see at least some of the Travellers go. "Personally I feel the site clearance was good value for money. If it hadn't happened it would have created a precedent for Irish Travellers to occupy land and develop it without any concern for local inhabitants."
Those Travellers living on the roadside have been served with enforcement notices to leave.
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