Funding for reopening of former Travellers’ site near Meldreth recommended to South Cambridgeshire District Council

From the Haverhill Echo

Senior councillors have recommended that South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) purchase and reopen a former Traveller site near Meldreth to meet the future needs of growing families currently living in South Cambridgeshire.

The recommendation to fund the purchase of the land, using £500,000 already secured from Government as part of SCDC’s proposed financial strategy, will now be presented to a meeting of full SCDC before any decision is made.

An independent report established in June this year that 20 extra pitches would be needed in the district up until 2031 to meet SCDC’s legal responsibility to provide sufficient housing for Travellers.

Enforcement officers from public bodies covering the area currently deal with almost one case every week where Travellers set up illegally on private land or by the roadside, and the proposed site will help alleviate some of the problem.

After hearing the views of Meldreth Parish Council at the Cabinet meeting, SCDC leaders reiterated their commitment to work with the local community to make sure a high quality and well-managed SCDC run site can be delivered.

If the land purchase is agreed, the SCDC would carry out a detailed consultation so concerns from all parts of the community can be discussed and local people can help also make sure the layout, design and future management of the site works well for future residents living there as well as their neighbours.

In a report presented to full SCDC on Thursday (November 22), financial approval for the purchase of two existing traveller sites in the district at Whaddon and Blackwell – a site off the A14 near Milton – will also be sought.

Both sites are already managed by SCDC.

If purchases are agreed, the SCDC aims to secure further government funding specifically available to address traveller accommodation issues from the homes and communities agency.

This would be used to improve the site at Whaddon while also adding two further pitches through better use of the land.

Travellers living on SCDC run sites – which the proposed Mettle Hill site would be – are charged rent that covers the cost of a site manager as well as maintaining facilities to a high standard.

Government funding earmarked to develop Mettle Hill was secured in a joint bid with Cambridge City Council and at least one of the 8-10 pitches at the proposed site would be offered to them to meet their identified need.

Cllr Mark Howell, SCDC cabinet member for housing, said: “Before any decision is made on whether to fund the purchase of the site all councillors will debate the proposals at a meeting.

“We recognise residents are concerned when any type of development is proposed and if the land is purchased we are very committed to working with everyone locally to deliver the best possible high quality site for residents living there in the future and their neighbours.

“Delivering a new site anywhere in South Cambridgeshire is never going to be easy, but Mettle Hill has been used as a Travellers’ site in the past and we believe it is the best option to meet our legal obligations to provide sufficient accommodation for travellers currently living in the district.

“Residents are frequently frustrated when Travellers pitch up illegally on public and privately owned land around the district and this site aims to alleviate some of this costly problem.”

For all the latest news see Thursday’s (November 29) Echo.