Traveller sites petition begun - Bedfordshire

From Biggleswade Chronicle

Residents have formed an action group to protest against the possible new Gypsy and Traveller sites in this area.
The group has been created by Mark Amps of Sheepwalk Close, some of his neighbours and other interested people.

They believe that no new Gypsy and Traveller sites are needed in Potton, Sandy, Biggleswade, Sutton, Dunton or Wrestlingworth.

They have created a petition, which they will present to Central Beds Council at their next sustainable communities overview and scrutiny committee in February.

They are putting leaflets through doors.

Mark said: “We’ve got sites in our area already. Sixteen of the proposed sites are in the Potton, Sandy and Biggleswade South wards. It doesn’t seem right to me.

“With the one on Bury Hill; it’s a busy road. It will put more traffic on there.”

He also voiced concerns about Potton’s infrastructure.

He said: “They seem to be growing Potton but the infrastructure isn’t growing with it. They are putting more and more things up. What are they doing with the road networks, schools and doctors’ surgeries?”

But he said that if more pitches had to be put in Potton it would be better if they were added to the existing site off Myers Road.

He said: “If they have to go into Potton my preference would be to use the existing site. I think it’s not going to cost the taxpayer as much money whereas if we are starting with a blank field it would cost more for put drainage and sewage. Our council tax will probably go up to pay for that.”

Speaking to the Chronicle last week, Central Beds Councillor Nigel Young, said that to improve integration into the community smaller family sites will be created.

Items on the long list are deemed to be near suitable infrastructure. He added that the pitches were not chosen by wards but there are more possible sites in the north of the county because much of the south is green belt land.

Meanwhile Stotfold Town Council is organising a public meeting to discuss the potential Gypsy and Traveller sites in the town. It will take place at Etonbury Academy in Arlesey on Tuesday (January 29) from 7pm until 9pm.

It will give residents an opportunity to voice their views prior to the town council’s special meeting to formulate a response to Central Beds Council.