Petition signed by 3,000 opposes Travellers' site - Cambridgeshire

From Cambridge News

Angry villagers were to deliver a petition bearing more than 3,000 signatures opposing the reopening of a Travellers’ site to a council leader today.

Residents from Meldreth, Melbourn, Shepreth, Kneesworth and Whaddon planned to rally together to witness the event when they arrive at South Cambridgeshire District Council’s offices in Cambourne by coach.

The petition against the reopening of the Mettle Hill site in Meldreth – which was linked to crime and vandalism until it was closed in 1996 – has now been signed by double the adult population of the village.

Lead petitioner and county councillor, Susan van de Ven, said: “This is a phenomenal number in less than three weeks and reflects the very deep concern about SCDC’s ill thought-out plans.

“Meldreth’s successfully integrated community of travelling people, including one small Romany site and two large Showmen’s sites, is a valued part of the village which should be nurtured, not undermined.”

The recently formed Mettle Hill Working Group plan to hand the petition to the leader of the council at 1.15pm – before a full council meeting begins at 2pm.

Cllr van de Ven said: “South Cambs has always held the view that Mettle Hill is unsuitable as a Traveller site, and emphasised the importance of working carefully through official planning and democratic structures.

“This bizarre plan was made in secret with no consultation whatsoever. Public trust in South Cambs has been devastated.”

Last week, the council announced it was postponing a decision on the plans – just days after cabinet members backed the scheme at a meeting attended by hundreds of Meldreth residents.

The council said the delay would allow it to fully consider residents’ concerns and there are also hopes that an alternative site might be located in the meantime.

Steve Hawkins, chairman of Meldreth Parish Council, said: “We welcome the postponement of a full council decision on the future of Mettle Hill, and hope this will provide each district councillor the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the views of the travelling and settled people of Meldreth, and to realise the shortcomings of the initial plan.

“We don’t think reopening the closed site is the right move in the current situation and have the full support of our district and county councillors as well as our MP.”

Cllr Mark Howell, the district council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Due to the number of people who have contacted us since our intention to purchase the land was published we have delayed making any decision so we have extra time to listen to residents’ concerns.

“We have always been very clear we will consult fully on how to deliver a well-managed and high-quality site and no one wants to go back to how the site operated more than 15 years ago.

“The reality is delivering a site anywhere in the district is always going to be met with opposition. But we have a legal duty to provide sufficient housing for travellers and as this site has planning permission we believe it is a viable option.”