Council urged to block off site used by Travellers - Cornwall

From the West Briton

PERRANZABULOE Parish Council has been accused of "burying its head" after it refused to block off its land to stop Travellers entering the site.

Councillor Alan Ratcliffe called for large boulders or a gate to be fitted across the entrance to Cligga, in Perranporth, after a group of Travellers moved onto the site.

He said: "There were several living in a caravan. It was a mess. They moved off in the end, but they could return at anytime and bring more people with them.

"I have seen the problems Travellers can cause. Many come here in the summer and Cligga is a large site, we don't want them coming back.

"I asked the council to look at what can be done but they didn't want to know – they buried their heads. The site needs to be secured but not blocked to walkers."

The council's eviction attempts failed, although the group eventually moved off during the summer. The council's amenities group has since decided not to take any action.

Cornwall councillor for Perranporth Mike Callan said Cligga was home to several industrial units and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

He said Cornwall Council was now considering where to put 30 new Traveller and Gypsy pitches planned for the county, thanks to £1.24 million funding.

The authority admitted it had a history of unauthorised encampments and a lack of regulated sites.

The intention is for smaller pitches close to local facilities such as schools so that groups can integrate better with communities.

"I really do welcome the new pitches and see no reason why we should not have some in the parish," added Mr Callan.

"One thing for certain their needs will include schooling, etc, and we have to be mindful of that its no use putting pitches in remote locations away from the services."