Residents show anger over Gypsy site plans - Bedfordshire

From Bedford On Sunday

AROUND 120 members of the public attended a committee meeting on Thursday to voice their opposition to plans made by a council for 35 Gypsy and Traveller sites in their area.

The meeting of Central Bedfordshire Council’s sustainable communities overview and scrutiny committee agreed the authority’s Gypsy and Traveller plan for a more refined list to be produced at the next meeting in February.

Last week we reported that residents in Potton were opposed to the proposed sites as there were 10 close to their homes. People living in Georgetown Road, Sandy are also fiercely challenging the plans which would see a two pitch site developed on a derelict strip of land between their cottages.

Richard Siudak, 52, who lives in the 10 hous cul-de-sac, said: “I’m sure even the councillors themselves would be unhappy to have this development right on their front door. There are two camps in Sandy already, why can’t they use the existing sites rather than upsetting people?”

Central Beds Cllr Nigel Young said: “This meeting was about refreshing the current assessment of need that we’re using to consider accommodation requirements, rather than looking at where pitches may be located. There will be a full consultation in May/June about the draft local plan and the ‘short list’ of sites but the best way residents can pass on their views is via their local elected member.”