Councillors to focus on proposed Traveller site at Burn Airfield - Yorkshie

From the Press

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new Gypsy and Traveller site near Selby will be discussed at a council meeting this week.

The executive of Selby District Council will meet on Thursday to discuss the plans to build a new 15-pitch site on about ten acres of land at Burn Airfield.

A report before the meeting states that the development would cost up to £940,000, and recommends Selby District Council provide funding of up to £188,000.

The report said: “The cost of developing a serviced site with 15 pitches and an enhanced scheme including a community building, manager’s office and space for stables or workshops have been costed at £850,000 to £940,000.

“The council is seeking an 80 per cent grant towards these costs.”

The report also acknowledged the difficulty the council has had in identifying a new site, which was first mooted more than 18 months ago, and said the final site would have to remain almost full for the funding to break even.

It said: “The council has a difficult task in providing suitable sites for the travelling community; however, the pragmatic approach of identifying a site in Burn and commissioning a new Gypsies and Travellers Accommodation Assessment will assist the council in delivering its legal responsibilities.

“It is difficult to quantify the ongoing revenue implications until a procurement exercise has been completed.

“However, initial assessments indicate the break-even point is at 90 per cent occupancy.”

Scores of people have already signed a petition urging the council to reconsider the location of the site, as they felt the infrastructure and amenities of the village were unable to sustain the expansion.

Council leader Mark Crane has previously told The Press: “It may not be perfect.

“But it’s a site that is in public ownership, and therefore we wouldn’t face the situation where it would be withdrawn by the landowners as the public became aware of the plans.”