From the Penarth Times
PUBLIC meeting is to be held over the Traveller site in Sully.
Fifteen months after ten caravans, a horse transporter and several vehicles moved in to the former recycling centre on Hayes Road, residents have had enough of the situation – fearing the effect on tourism and house prices – and local councillors have heeded their calls for action.
In November last year Sully councillor Bob Penrose raised the issue as a matter of urgency at a meeting of the environment scrutiny committee, recommending that the Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet establish a permanent and official Traveller site as soon as possible – as also demanded by Welsh Assembly legislation.
But nothing has been done since to indicate that the local authority will consider addressing the situation prior to the publication of the Local Development Plan (LDP), which is a year behind schedule after being scrapped by the current Labour administration.
The council hope to present the replacement plan for statuatory consultation this autumn and submit the final plan for review in 2017, believing it to be the “appropriate mechanism” for identifying suitable locations for the Travellers.
But councillors and residents alike say that is too long for the Travellers to remain at the former tip, located next to a chemical complex, Beechwood College for autistic youngsters, and near the local Ty Hafan Hospice.
Cllr Penrose said ideally the council would re-consider its position, pointing to developments at Barry Waterfront which are underway despite being included in the LDP.
He said: “Residents have been quite tolerant of the situation but they are suffering while the Vale drags its feet on this.
“Everyone wants answers from the council, including the Travellers I would imagine.
“Locating them on a former civic amenity site which could very well be contaminated is hardly caring for them.
“They need sanitised facilities and suitable amenities.
“Unfortunately the residents of Sully are also suffering in the interim.”
Invitations to attend the meeting have been sent to council cabinet members, council officers, Sully community councillors, local MPs and Assembly Members, and other local dignitaries.
Second Sully councillor Kevin Mahoney urged Sully residents to attend in numbers.
“A public debate is needed to show the strength of feeling about the matter,” he said.
“The Vale council needs to know it can’t ignore this for much longer.
“We want to give Sully residents the platform to do that. The meeting will afford residents the opportunity to voice their objections, questions and concerns.”
Residents have been upset since the Travellers first moved into the civic amenity site in January 2012, just days after Biffa vacated it following the end of a contract with the local authority.
More than 50 people attended a Sully Community Council meeting shortly after – including members of the travelling community – but when it was pointed out their occupation of the site was illegal, head of visible services at the council, Miles Punter, said any legal action to evict them would fail because the Vale does not have a designated site for Travellers.
Sully resident of 26 years, Jeff Dunn, said the Vale Council had a lot to answer for. “I can’t stress how angry I am about this situation,” he said. “Sully is a nice village and no-one here deserves to have a sub-standard style of living inflicted upon them. I will swear to my dying day that the previous Conservative authority placed the Travellers where they did on purpose.
“But the new Labour authority have done precious little to improve the situation.
“They have a duty of care to the Travellers but they also have a duty of care to the people of Sully.
We are sick and fed up.
“We have councillors who are doing a sterling job fighting this but they are outnumbered. I hope the parties responsible are kicked into touch afterwards for what they have done, or what they have not done more like.”
Lino Scaglioni, chairman of Sully Residents’ Association and Sully Community Council, said feelings were very strong: “The councillors have the support of the community council and I think we should all make our voices heard at the meeting. It should be a lively event.”
Rob Thomas, director of development services at the council, said there was no change to its stance on the subject at present.
He said: “Work on the provision of a site or sites for Travellers in the Vale will be progressed as part of the ongoing work on the LDP. We will hopefully be in a position to consult on the LDP in the autumn.”
The public meeting will be held on Friday April 19, at 7.45pm in the Old School, South Road, Sully.
Sunday, 31 March 2013
Dale Farm asbestos find fuels concerns for health of evicted Travellers - Essex
From the Guardian
The full extent of asbestos contamination of the Dale Farm site in Essex has been revealed, fuelling concern that the health of Travellers evicted from the plot and of nearby residents has been harmed.
Two tonnes of waste, containing 13kg of asbestos cement, were identified and removed from the site near Basildon during a recent visit by environment health officers acting for the local council, a freedom of information request has revealed. Basildon borough council officials had earlier claimed that there was no "firm evidence" that asbestos or other contaminants that could affect health were on the site.
Travellers allege that the asbestos was released after the destruction of buildings on the site, from which 86 families were evicted in October 2011.
The FoI response reveals that at least six locations were contaminated with asbestos and that 88 fragments of asbestos cement were also collected by workers wearing protective suits. In addition, 13kg of cement fragments were removed when a building covered in asbestos sheeting was demolished.
Around 30 of the evicted families still live 100 yards away from the site, with up to 100 local families potentially affected by any contamination, according to Travellers' groups. Candy Sheridan, co-chairwoman of the Gypsy Council, says the council's clearance of the site after the mass evictions disturbed oil-based contaminants in the soil, from its former use as a car-breaker's yard, and asbestos.
Basildon council initially denied such accusations and said they were "not substantiated". The Environment Agency report that had been designed to settle the matter was due last autumn, but has yet to appear.
Travellers are suspicious as to why the council decided to remove asbestos after denying its existence.The council now says it has cleared "minimal shards" and, in doing so, is not admitting liability for any potential contamination.
The question of liability for the cleanup remains a live one, coming days after Travellers were billed £4.3m for the cost of evicting the 80 families.
David McPherson-Davis, the councillor for the area, said there was considerable concern among residents over potential asbestos contamination. He also wants to know why the Environment Agency report has been delayed. "There must be sizeable pollution there, and the EA and the government department it reports to is trying to decide who put it there and who is responsible for cleaning it up. Asbestos dust is potentially life-threatening. How far does the dust travel?"
Nigel Smith, the Labour group leader of Basildon council, added: "We are very concerned and quite angry that we have not seen this report as promised.
"Local settled people, Travellers and children who even play on or near the site are all entitled to know whether or not it is safe for the local community."
Tony Ball, the council leader, said: "We were aware that the site had been used previously as a scrapyard and there might have been stuff buried illegally. Asbestos is a concern, even if there is no danger to health, so to alleviate fears we removed it."
Sheridan, who has been carrying out a health audit of the Travellers living on the roadside, says some already have lung conditions and many of the children have breathing problems. "Over 98% of the children living roadside are using inhalers. Many are on antibiotics for chest infections or have had upset stomachs. To my knowledge this is not matched anywhere else in the country for similar aged children."
The full extent of asbestos contamination of the Dale Farm site in Essex has been revealed, fuelling concern that the health of Travellers evicted from the plot and of nearby residents has been harmed.
Two tonnes of waste, containing 13kg of asbestos cement, were identified and removed from the site near Basildon during a recent visit by environment health officers acting for the local council, a freedom of information request has revealed. Basildon borough council officials had earlier claimed that there was no "firm evidence" that asbestos or other contaminants that could affect health were on the site.
Travellers allege that the asbestos was released after the destruction of buildings on the site, from which 86 families were evicted in October 2011.
The FoI response reveals that at least six locations were contaminated with asbestos and that 88 fragments of asbestos cement were also collected by workers wearing protective suits. In addition, 13kg of cement fragments were removed when a building covered in asbestos sheeting was demolished.
Around 30 of the evicted families still live 100 yards away from the site, with up to 100 local families potentially affected by any contamination, according to Travellers' groups. Candy Sheridan, co-chairwoman of the Gypsy Council, says the council's clearance of the site after the mass evictions disturbed oil-based contaminants in the soil, from its former use as a car-breaker's yard, and asbestos.
Basildon council initially denied such accusations and said they were "not substantiated". The Environment Agency report that had been designed to settle the matter was due last autumn, but has yet to appear.
Travellers are suspicious as to why the council decided to remove asbestos after denying its existence.The council now says it has cleared "minimal shards" and, in doing so, is not admitting liability for any potential contamination.
The question of liability for the cleanup remains a live one, coming days after Travellers were billed £4.3m for the cost of evicting the 80 families.
David McPherson-Davis, the councillor for the area, said there was considerable concern among residents over potential asbestos contamination. He also wants to know why the Environment Agency report has been delayed. "There must be sizeable pollution there, and the EA and the government department it reports to is trying to decide who put it there and who is responsible for cleaning it up. Asbestos dust is potentially life-threatening. How far does the dust travel?"
Nigel Smith, the Labour group leader of Basildon council, added: "We are very concerned and quite angry that we have not seen this report as promised.
"Local settled people, Travellers and children who even play on or near the site are all entitled to know whether or not it is safe for the local community."
Tony Ball, the council leader, said: "We were aware that the site had been used previously as a scrapyard and there might have been stuff buried illegally. Asbestos is a concern, even if there is no danger to health, so to alleviate fears we removed it."
Sheridan, who has been carrying out a health audit of the Travellers living on the roadside, says some already have lung conditions and many of the children have breathing problems. "Over 98% of the children living roadside are using inhalers. Many are on antibiotics for chest infections or have had upset stomachs. To my knowledge this is not matched anywhere else in the country for similar aged children."
Eviction order means Travellers must leave park or be removed - Aberdeenshire
From STV
An eviction order has been served on a group of Travellers, who are using 37 caravans, at Calder Park, near Cove, in Aberdeen.
STV has learned that if the travellers do not move from the site by the morning of Friday, April 5, they are liable to being summarily evicted by Grampian Police.
The issue has divided opinion in the north-east, with local councillor Willie Young, arguing that the only way to improve the situation is by creating specially-designated Travellers sites, while introducing a by-law to prevent illegal camping.
Young said on Sunday that he was sure the police would be frustrated at the possibility of having to intervene in Calder Park later this week.
He told STV: "We know this eviction order will create problems, whatever happens.
"If the Travellers are moved on, they will have to find somewhere else to move to, and that will probably see them setting up illegal camps in the city.
"But if they ignore the eviction order — and are still there at 8.30am on Friday — then we have the prospect of the police going into Calder Park.
"The current situation, where these things keep happening, is unsatisfactory for everybody. Personally, I think it is a disaster for Aberdeen.
"But I also believe the Scottish Government should be addressing the problem, rather than leaving councils to tackle it, on a case-by-case basis. That isn't fair on the public and it isn't fair on Travellers either."
A recent Holyrood report concluded that the issue of Travellers was "a unique problem" for Aberdeen.
An eviction order has been served on a group of Travellers, who are using 37 caravans, at Calder Park, near Cove, in Aberdeen.
STV has learned that if the travellers do not move from the site by the morning of Friday, April 5, they are liable to being summarily evicted by Grampian Police.
The issue has divided opinion in the north-east, with local councillor Willie Young, arguing that the only way to improve the situation is by creating specially-designated Travellers sites, while introducing a by-law to prevent illegal camping.
Young said on Sunday that he was sure the police would be frustrated at the possibility of having to intervene in Calder Park later this week.
He told STV: "We know this eviction order will create problems, whatever happens.
"If the Travellers are moved on, they will have to find somewhere else to move to, and that will probably see them setting up illegal camps in the city.
"But if they ignore the eviction order — and are still there at 8.30am on Friday — then we have the prospect of the police going into Calder Park.
"The current situation, where these things keep happening, is unsatisfactory for everybody. Personally, I think it is a disaster for Aberdeen.
"But I also believe the Scottish Government should be addressing the problem, rather than leaving councils to tackle it, on a case-by-case basis. That isn't fair on the public and it isn't fair on Travellers either."
A recent Holyrood report concluded that the issue of Travellers was "a unique problem" for Aberdeen.
Gypsy family launch appeal after site refused - County Durham
From the Northern Echo
AN appeal has been launched against a refusal to allow a private Gypsy site on the outskirts of a village on the grounds that there are no facilities nearby for the family.
The application for retrospective planning permission, to change the use of a site off Middleton Road, next to the A66 flyover, on the outskirts of Sadberge, near Darlington, was turned down by planning officers in February.
The family which owns the land want to live permanently on site, with two touring caravans and an auxiliary building, so their children can go to school in the area.
An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State and will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate.
Officers from Darlington Borough Council, acting under delegated planning powers, refused the application because it did not fulfil a key criteria of providing sustainable access to schools, shops and other public services.
To make a representation about the appeal visit planningportal.gov.uk/pcs or email teamp7@pins.gsi.gov.uk Representations can also be made in writing to Sheila Parkin, The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/06, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN. Three copies must be enclosed.
The deadline for representations is April 25. All correspondence must quote reference APP/N1350/A/13/2193221
AN appeal has been launched against a refusal to allow a private Gypsy site on the outskirts of a village on the grounds that there are no facilities nearby for the family.
The application for retrospective planning permission, to change the use of a site off Middleton Road, next to the A66 flyover, on the outskirts of Sadberge, near Darlington, was turned down by planning officers in February.
The family which owns the land want to live permanently on site, with two touring caravans and an auxiliary building, so their children can go to school in the area.
An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State and will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate.
Officers from Darlington Borough Council, acting under delegated planning powers, refused the application because it did not fulfil a key criteria of providing sustainable access to schools, shops and other public services.
To make a representation about the appeal visit planningportal.gov.uk/pcs or email teamp7@pins.gsi.gov.uk Representations can also be made in writing to Sheila Parkin, The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/06, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN. Three copies must be enclosed.
The deadline for representations is April 25. All correspondence must quote reference APP/N1350/A/13/2193221
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Travellers Camp: Meriden Protesters To Stay On - West Midlands
From Key103
Campaigners camped out in a protest against an illegal Travellers' site say they will stay in put.
Residents in Meriden, near Solihull, West Midlands,have been keeping vigil opposite the caravan site for more than 1,060 days.
They set up camp a week after the Travellers moved on to greenbelt land over a May bank holiday weekend in 2010.
They say they now hope their three-year legal battle is at an end after the Travellers' last-minute appeal against the eviction were thrown out by a judge this week.
The Romany Gypsies now have until April 21 to vacate the site and a further month afterwards to restore it to its original greenbelt state.
However, Doug Bacon, vice chair of action group RAID, is worried that they could see another Dale Farm situation:
"We're anxious that they'll be allowed to stay. Dale Farm lasted 10 years, this has lasted three years nearly already, we are anxious that the process will continue to be strung out and we are determined to ensure that that doesn't happen.
"We won't be leaving until they do."
The Travellers on the site believe they have been treated unfairly but told Sky News that they were planning to leave because they will be arrested if they do not.
However, they also say they have not been offered anywhere that they consider suitable to go.
Anne Brereton, of Solihull Council, said that the council does not legally have to find another site for the Travellers but that they were trying to work with the community:
"The judge agreed that a 12-month period was a reasonable amount of time for them to make alternative arrangements.
"So that gave plenty of notice, thinking about the schools, the children in schools, so the obligation is very definitely with the families rather than the council."
Campaigners, like David McGrath, of Meriden RAID, have welcomed new rules which will give councils greater powers to take more immediate action against those trying to flout planning laws.
"Temporary stop notices will hopefully avoid the Dale Farm and Meriden spectres whereby illegal developments happen in short order over a bank holiday but take many years and hundreds of thousands of pounds to sort out," Mr McGrath said.
"This is an affront to all hard working Gypsies who want to be good neighbours."
Among the proposals being brought in by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles are fines of up to £20,000 if orders are ignored.
Campaigners camped out in a protest against an illegal Travellers' site say they will stay in put.
Residents in Meriden, near Solihull, West Midlands,have been keeping vigil opposite the caravan site for more than 1,060 days.
They set up camp a week after the Travellers moved on to greenbelt land over a May bank holiday weekend in 2010.
They say they now hope their three-year legal battle is at an end after the Travellers' last-minute appeal against the eviction were thrown out by a judge this week.
The Romany Gypsies now have until April 21 to vacate the site and a further month afterwards to restore it to its original greenbelt state.
However, Doug Bacon, vice chair of action group RAID, is worried that they could see another Dale Farm situation:
"We're anxious that they'll be allowed to stay. Dale Farm lasted 10 years, this has lasted three years nearly already, we are anxious that the process will continue to be strung out and we are determined to ensure that that doesn't happen.
"We won't be leaving until they do."
The Travellers on the site believe they have been treated unfairly but told Sky News that they were planning to leave because they will be arrested if they do not.
However, they also say they have not been offered anywhere that they consider suitable to go.
Anne Brereton, of Solihull Council, said that the council does not legally have to find another site for the Travellers but that they were trying to work with the community:
"The judge agreed that a 12-month period was a reasonable amount of time for them to make alternative arrangements.
"So that gave plenty of notice, thinking about the schools, the children in schools, so the obligation is very definitely with the families rather than the council."
Campaigners, like David McGrath, of Meriden RAID, have welcomed new rules which will give councils greater powers to take more immediate action against those trying to flout planning laws.
"Temporary stop notices will hopefully avoid the Dale Farm and Meriden spectres whereby illegal developments happen in short order over a bank holiday but take many years and hundreds of thousands of pounds to sort out," Mr McGrath said.
"This is an affront to all hard working Gypsies who want to be good neighbours."
Among the proposals being brought in by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles are fines of up to £20,000 if orders are ignored.
Consultation on Gypsy and Traveller Sites - Yorkshire
From About My Area
Consultation on Gypsy and Traveller Sites
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has today launched a consultation on additional Gypsy/Traveller sites.
The consultation, which ends on 6 May, will run alongside and forms part of the current consultation taking place on the draft Local Plan. It is required because, while the need for more Gypsy/Traveller accommodation has been identified, further consideration needs to be given to what land options exist and in order to explain the process of selecting such sites.
The consultation (entitled ‘The Gypsy and Traveller Sites Further Consultation Paper') seeks to address the issue by defining the approach to the search and assessment of Gypsy sites; putting forward a range of potential sites for assessment; and suggesting preferred options for allocating Gypsy sites in the Local Plan.
The consultation assesses a range of sites in the identified areas of need which are the Driffield to Bridlington and Beverley to Cottingham corridors. The sites have been assessed taking into account the needs of the travelling community and wider planning considerations.
Two of the sites are ones already included in the draft Local Plan: land south of Moor Lane Carnaby (CAR 20) and land at Eppleworth Road Cottingham (COT 54). A third site on land south of Woldgate Bridlington (BRID51) has now also been proposed.
The council is seeking views on these proposed allocations as well as on other sites set out in the consultation document which have been rejected. The council also wishes to receive views on alternative ways of meeting the needs of the Traveller community and in particular views on any alternative sites.
It should be noted that only one of the proposed sites at Carnaby (CAR 20) and Bridlington (BRID51) would be required to meet the identified needs in the area.
Consultation on Gypsy and Traveller Sites
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has today launched a consultation on additional Gypsy/Traveller sites.
The consultation, which ends on 6 May, will run alongside and forms part of the current consultation taking place on the draft Local Plan. It is required because, while the need for more Gypsy/Traveller accommodation has been identified, further consideration needs to be given to what land options exist and in order to explain the process of selecting such sites.
The consultation (entitled ‘The Gypsy and Traveller Sites Further Consultation Paper') seeks to address the issue by defining the approach to the search and assessment of Gypsy sites; putting forward a range of potential sites for assessment; and suggesting preferred options for allocating Gypsy sites in the Local Plan.
The consultation assesses a range of sites in the identified areas of need which are the Driffield to Bridlington and Beverley to Cottingham corridors. The sites have been assessed taking into account the needs of the travelling community and wider planning considerations.
Two of the sites are ones already included in the draft Local Plan: land south of Moor Lane Carnaby (CAR 20) and land at Eppleworth Road Cottingham (COT 54). A third site on land south of Woldgate Bridlington (BRID51) has now also been proposed.
The council is seeking views on these proposed allocations as well as on other sites set out in the consultation document which have been rejected. The council also wishes to receive views on alternative ways of meeting the needs of the Traveller community and in particular views on any alternative sites.
It should be noted that only one of the proposed sites at Carnaby (CAR 20) and Bridlington (BRID51) would be required to meet the identified needs in the area.
Friday, 29 March 2013
Former mayor of Bridlington has hit out at plans to cater for more Gypsies in East Riding - Yorkshire
From the Hull Daily Mail
A FORMER mayor of Bridlington has hit out at plans to cater for more Gypsies and Travellers in the town.
East Riding Council has identified the need to provide a further 25 pitches on two sites that will accommodate about 100 extra people.
The three possible sites under discussion are Woldgate, Bridlington, and Eppleworth Road, Cottingham, where there are existing sites, and a new location south of Moor Lane at Carnaby, Bridlington.
Town Councillor Cyril Marsburg, who has been in local politics more than 30 years and has twice been Bridlington mayor, is furious about the plans.
He said: "I just don't understand why they would want to locate them in Bridlington.
"The people in Carnaby are very upset about this development.
"We've previously been reassured there won't be any more Gypsy sites in this area."
East Riding Council currently has three Gypsy sites.
As well as Eppleworth Road and Woldgate there is one off Harland Way in Cottingham.
The East Riding's Traveller population stands at 488 people, but there is overcrowding and the population is predicted to increase as families expand.
The extra sites provision will form part of the East Riding Council Local Plan, a blueprint for development from 2014 to 2029.
The consultation on where the East Riding's 25 new pitches should go will run until May 6.
Proposals to create further pitches for Travellers and Gypsies have previously been met with local opposition.
But that has been overcome through consultation and the planning process.
Some people in Cottingham campaigned on behalf of improving and extending the Eppleworth Road site.
John Craig, East Riding Council forward planning and housing strategy manager, said: "What we are looking at is future needs.
"We are required to identify pitches for the first five years of the plan.
"The new pitches we're seeking to identify are to meet the needs of the resident population, which is increasing."
Cllr Marsburg believes more or extended Gypsy and Traveller sites will put off visitors to Bridlington.
He said: "Visitors don't want to be greeted by a Gypsy camp.
"The one in Woldgate is next to the 'Welcome to Bridlington' sign.
"We're a holiday resort and this never seems to go away. Where will it stop?"
Another issue is, as the Gypsy and Traveller population are faced with opposition to more camps, it struggles to represent itself.
Hidden Voices, the organisation that liaised between local authorities and Travellers' groups in East Yorkshire, has now been disbanded because its lottery funding ran out.
Visit http://eastriding.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ or www.eastriding.gov.uk/erlocalplan to have your say on the plans.
Read more: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/mayor-Bridlington-hit-plans-cater-Gypsies-East/story-18554424-detail/story.html#ixzz2OxuuYkbh
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A FORMER mayor of Bridlington has hit out at plans to cater for more Gypsies and Travellers in the town.
East Riding Council has identified the need to provide a further 25 pitches on two sites that will accommodate about 100 extra people.
The three possible sites under discussion are Woldgate, Bridlington, and Eppleworth Road, Cottingham, where there are existing sites, and a new location south of Moor Lane at Carnaby, Bridlington.
Town Councillor Cyril Marsburg, who has been in local politics more than 30 years and has twice been Bridlington mayor, is furious about the plans.
He said: "I just don't understand why they would want to locate them in Bridlington.
"The people in Carnaby are very upset about this development.
"We've previously been reassured there won't be any more Gypsy sites in this area."
East Riding Council currently has three Gypsy sites.
As well as Eppleworth Road and Woldgate there is one off Harland Way in Cottingham.
The East Riding's Traveller population stands at 488 people, but there is overcrowding and the population is predicted to increase as families expand.
The extra sites provision will form part of the East Riding Council Local Plan, a blueprint for development from 2014 to 2029.
The consultation on where the East Riding's 25 new pitches should go will run until May 6.
Proposals to create further pitches for Travellers and Gypsies have previously been met with local opposition.
But that has been overcome through consultation and the planning process.
Some people in Cottingham campaigned on behalf of improving and extending the Eppleworth Road site.
John Craig, East Riding Council forward planning and housing strategy manager, said: "What we are looking at is future needs.
"We are required to identify pitches for the first five years of the plan.
"The new pitches we're seeking to identify are to meet the needs of the resident population, which is increasing."
Cllr Marsburg believes more or extended Gypsy and Traveller sites will put off visitors to Bridlington.
He said: "Visitors don't want to be greeted by a Gypsy camp.
"The one in Woldgate is next to the 'Welcome to Bridlington' sign.
"We're a holiday resort and this never seems to go away. Where will it stop?"
Another issue is, as the Gypsy and Traveller population are faced with opposition to more camps, it struggles to represent itself.
Hidden Voices, the organisation that liaised between local authorities and Travellers' groups in East Yorkshire, has now been disbanded because its lottery funding ran out.
Visit http://eastriding.limehouse.co.uk/portal/ or www.eastriding.gov.uk/erlocalplan to have your say on the plans.
Read more: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/mayor-Bridlington-hit-plans-cater-Gypsies-East/story-18554424-detail/story.html#ixzz2OxuuYkbh
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First departure of Gypsies from illegal Meriden site - West Midlands
From the Birmingham Mail
After 1,063 days, could this be the beginning of the end of the Meriden Traveller stand-off?
Some of the residents camped illegally on green belt land have been spotted hooking up caravans and leaving the site.
The pictures were taken after a High Court judge extended Sunday’s deadline for them to be off the land by three weeks, until April 21, because of the recent “extraordinarily unseasonal” weather.
Doug Bacon, from Residents Against Inappropriate Development, set up to monitor the activities of the Gypsies, said a car was spotted towing a caravan and a shed off the site on Wednesday.
“Whether this is a permanent departure or temporary departure, we don’t know,” he said.
“Although the judge had made a ruling and all avenues of appeal have been exhausted, our protest will carry on.
“We hope they stick to their word and leave on or by April 21. There’s no guarantee they will actually do so.
“Should they not leave, then we will need to ensure that Solihull Council takes appropriate action to ensure they abide by the injunction.”
Noah Burton, head of the Traveller group, would not comment about the caravan move but added: “We are going through the legal aspect.”
The group, who arrived on the land in May, 2010, were supposed to leave on Sunday after hammering out a deal with the High Court and Solihull Council last year.
On Tuesday, a judge threw out two last-minute applications to remain at the site but granted them a three-week extension because of the bad weather.
Mr Justice Bean said: “The weather in the last few days in the Midlands and throughout the rest of the country has been extraordinarily unseasonal.
“There have been freezing conditions and more have been forecast for the next few days. I am prepared to suspend the injunction for a further 21 days.”
The Gypsies have a further month to restore the site back to its greenbelt status after they vacate the site in April.
see also The Coventry Telegraph - Is this the end of the Meriden Gypsy stand-off?
After 1,063 days, could this be the beginning of the end of the Meriden Traveller stand-off?
Some of the residents camped illegally on green belt land have been spotted hooking up caravans and leaving the site.
The pictures were taken after a High Court judge extended Sunday’s deadline for them to be off the land by three weeks, until April 21, because of the recent “extraordinarily unseasonal” weather.
Doug Bacon, from Residents Against Inappropriate Development, set up to monitor the activities of the Gypsies, said a car was spotted towing a caravan and a shed off the site on Wednesday.
“Whether this is a permanent departure or temporary departure, we don’t know,” he said.
“Although the judge had made a ruling and all avenues of appeal have been exhausted, our protest will carry on.
“We hope they stick to their word and leave on or by April 21. There’s no guarantee they will actually do so.
“Should they not leave, then we will need to ensure that Solihull Council takes appropriate action to ensure they abide by the injunction.”
Noah Burton, head of the Traveller group, would not comment about the caravan move but added: “We are going through the legal aspect.”
The group, who arrived on the land in May, 2010, were supposed to leave on Sunday after hammering out a deal with the High Court and Solihull Council last year.
On Tuesday, a judge threw out two last-minute applications to remain at the site but granted them a three-week extension because of the bad weather.
Mr Justice Bean said: “The weather in the last few days in the Midlands and throughout the rest of the country has been extraordinarily unseasonal.
“There have been freezing conditions and more have been forecast for the next few days. I am prepared to suspend the injunction for a further 21 days.”
The Gypsies have a further month to restore the site back to its greenbelt status after they vacate the site in April.
see also The Coventry Telegraph - Is this the end of the Meriden Gypsy stand-off?
Pavee Point: Why these 6 Traveller myths are untrue
From the journal.ie
SOME SEE THEM for having extravagant weddings, bare-knuckle fighting and wearing extravagant outfits but these ideas are “one-sided” and not “reflective of Travellers as a whole” says Martin Collins, assistant director of Pavee Point, an organisation aimed at improving the quality of life and living circumstances of Irish Travellers.
Here Collins tells TheJournal.ie some of the of the biggest prejudices about Travellers and explains why they are untrue.
1. Grabbing: Made popular by the television show, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, it’s where Traveller girls are ‘grabbed’ as part of a courtship ritual, which sees boys angling for a kiss.
Busted: “That is certainly a myth and definitely not the case in the Traveller community,” says Collins. “I’m a 47-year-old Traveller man and I’ve never heard of that term before the show… It’s grossly offensive, especially against women.”
2. Travellers don’t pay taxes: This idea stems from the fact that unemployment in the Irish Traveller community was 84.3 per cent in 2011, up from 74.9 per cent five years earlier.
Busted: “We pay VAT on everything we buy, so in that sense, Travellers do pay taxes,” says Collins. “A small numbers of Travellers that are employed pay taxes. I have been working all my life and I have always paid my taxes.”
3. Tinkers’ curse: If someone does a bad deed to a Traveller then the Traveller would bestow bad luck on them. The only way it could be lifted was to give the Traveller money.
Busted: “This was a myth that was out years and years ago. It’s just a romantic idea,” says Collins. “Curses aren’t true.”
4. Marrying cousins: To this day it is still a Traveller tradition to marry a cousin but it is a custom that is changing with the times.
Busted: “Prior to having IT and Facebook, opportunities for Travellers to meet possible suitors were quite limited so marrying cousins was and still is quite common,” explains Collins. “But there are more opportunities now to meet people in other places through Facebook and the like so it’s something that we are seeing a change in.”
5. Violence: Travellers have long been associated with fighting, an idea that has grown through the many YouTube videos of Travelling men bare-knuckle boxing and settling disputes with their fists.
Busted: “Some Travellers are violent but it’s wrong to suggest that the whole community are,” says Collins. “Videos on YouTube are making it worse. It is an element in the community but not representative of Travellers as a whole.”
6. Travellers don’t want to work: With over 84 per cent of the Travelling community in Ireland unemployed, there are ideas that Travellers don’t want to take up employment. This idea is one that Collins vehemently denies.
Busted: “I know Travellers who are actively seeking work but they are discriminated against and people don’t want to hire them when they find out they’re Travellers,” says Collins. “Even in the show ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’, we saw grooms hiding their identities so they wouldn’t lose work, one of the only parts of the show that were true.”
SOME SEE THEM for having extravagant weddings, bare-knuckle fighting and wearing extravagant outfits but these ideas are “one-sided” and not “reflective of Travellers as a whole” says Martin Collins, assistant director of Pavee Point, an organisation aimed at improving the quality of life and living circumstances of Irish Travellers.
Here Collins tells TheJournal.ie some of the of the biggest prejudices about Travellers and explains why they are untrue.
1. Grabbing: Made popular by the television show, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, it’s where Traveller girls are ‘grabbed’ as part of a courtship ritual, which sees boys angling for a kiss.
Busted: “That is certainly a myth and definitely not the case in the Traveller community,” says Collins. “I’m a 47-year-old Traveller man and I’ve never heard of that term before the show… It’s grossly offensive, especially against women.”
2. Travellers don’t pay taxes: This idea stems from the fact that unemployment in the Irish Traveller community was 84.3 per cent in 2011, up from 74.9 per cent five years earlier.
Busted: “We pay VAT on everything we buy, so in that sense, Travellers do pay taxes,” says Collins. “A small numbers of Travellers that are employed pay taxes. I have been working all my life and I have always paid my taxes.”
3. Tinkers’ curse: If someone does a bad deed to a Traveller then the Traveller would bestow bad luck on them. The only way it could be lifted was to give the Traveller money.
Busted: “This was a myth that was out years and years ago. It’s just a romantic idea,” says Collins. “Curses aren’t true.”
4. Marrying cousins: To this day it is still a Traveller tradition to marry a cousin but it is a custom that is changing with the times.
Busted: “Prior to having IT and Facebook, opportunities for Travellers to meet possible suitors were quite limited so marrying cousins was and still is quite common,” explains Collins. “But there are more opportunities now to meet people in other places through Facebook and the like so it’s something that we are seeing a change in.”
5. Violence: Travellers have long been associated with fighting, an idea that has grown through the many YouTube videos of Travelling men bare-knuckle boxing and settling disputes with their fists.
Busted: “Some Travellers are violent but it’s wrong to suggest that the whole community are,” says Collins. “Videos on YouTube are making it worse. It is an element in the community but not representative of Travellers as a whole.”
6. Travellers don’t want to work: With over 84 per cent of the Travelling community in Ireland unemployed, there are ideas that Travellers don’t want to take up employment. This idea is one that Collins vehemently denies.
Busted: “I know Travellers who are actively seeking work but they are discriminated against and people don’t want to hire them when they find out they’re Travellers,” says Collins. “Even in the show ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’, we saw grooms hiding their identities so they wouldn’t lose work, one of the only parts of the show that were true.”
We only want to be equal – Scottish Gypsy Travellers speak
From Amnesty International UK
Guest blog post by Amnesty Scotland campaigns volunteer Catriona Clunas, who has been heading up our Scottish Gypsy Traveller campaign this year.
On the 26 March 2013, the Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC) of the Scottish Parliament released a report on the state of conditions related to “Where Gypsy/Travellers Live”. This is the fourth report the committee has published in 12 years. A report that is shockingly similar to its predecessors with the same evidence being given and the same calls for change.
Local authorities need to be held to account; housing associations need to provide adequate services; discrimination by the media, by employers, by the general public needs to end; barriers to education and health care need to be addressed; and travelling as a way of life needs to be respected and facilitated by the Scottish Government are among the common themes.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the work of the Committee is excellent. Over the last year, they have gathered evidence, visited sites and interviewed Scottish Gypsy Travellers to discuss and understand the problems faced by the travelling community in Scotland. They have engaged with key stakeholders and made recommendations, expressing their “frustration”, “disappointment”, “dismay” and “disgust” at the current state of things and the lack of progress that has been made.
But so what? The Committee said similar things in 2001 and 2004, albeit without such frustration, but why has nothing changed, and how will this report contribute to making these changes happen? The report has rightly recommended that a specific minister needs to take responsibility for supporting Travellers, and for holding local authorities to account – two issues Amnesty Scotland has strongly recommended over the last few years.
These are key to making a difference, as politicians and councillors at local authority level often feel the pressure of discussing transit sites and accepting planning permissions too challenging. The report gallingly finds that engaging in such activities is perceived as “political suicide” and certainly “not a vote winner."
On the flip side to this is targeting the source of that pressure, the voters. The report calls for a national public awareness campaign to tackle discrimination and racism toward this community. Something that we strongly support. We see the media as a key target in ending this negative cycle of discrimination toward Scottish Gypsy Travellers and it is an area we continue to put pressure on through “myth busting” exercises, holding media to account, and liaising with the National Union of Journalists on codes of conduct to deliver balanced reporting.
So, what’s next? The new report highlights many of the recommendations we have previously made and we will continue to emphasise these: our work on tenancy agreements, on holding local authorities to account and on ending discrimination.
We support the work of the EOC and call for national action across Government departments and for synergy between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to ensure a national strategy is planned and delivered. We also plan to build on our “in the headlines” research to drive forward a national Zero Tolerance campaign on discrimination. Hopefully, we are not facing another 12 years of inaction!
Guest blog post by Amnesty Scotland campaigns volunteer Catriona Clunas, who has been heading up our Scottish Gypsy Traveller campaign this year.
On the 26 March 2013, the Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC) of the Scottish Parliament released a report on the state of conditions related to “Where Gypsy/Travellers Live”. This is the fourth report the committee has published in 12 years. A report that is shockingly similar to its predecessors with the same evidence being given and the same calls for change.
Local authorities need to be held to account; housing associations need to provide adequate services; discrimination by the media, by employers, by the general public needs to end; barriers to education and health care need to be addressed; and travelling as a way of life needs to be respected and facilitated by the Scottish Government are among the common themes.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the work of the Committee is excellent. Over the last year, they have gathered evidence, visited sites and interviewed Scottish Gypsy Travellers to discuss and understand the problems faced by the travelling community in Scotland. They have engaged with key stakeholders and made recommendations, expressing their “frustration”, “disappointment”, “dismay” and “disgust” at the current state of things and the lack of progress that has been made.
But so what? The Committee said similar things in 2001 and 2004, albeit without such frustration, but why has nothing changed, and how will this report contribute to making these changes happen? The report has rightly recommended that a specific minister needs to take responsibility for supporting Travellers, and for holding local authorities to account – two issues Amnesty Scotland has strongly recommended over the last few years.
These are key to making a difference, as politicians and councillors at local authority level often feel the pressure of discussing transit sites and accepting planning permissions too challenging. The report gallingly finds that engaging in such activities is perceived as “political suicide” and certainly “not a vote winner."
On the flip side to this is targeting the source of that pressure, the voters. The report calls for a national public awareness campaign to tackle discrimination and racism toward this community. Something that we strongly support. We see the media as a key target in ending this negative cycle of discrimination toward Scottish Gypsy Travellers and it is an area we continue to put pressure on through “myth busting” exercises, holding media to account, and liaising with the National Union of Journalists on codes of conduct to deliver balanced reporting.
So, what’s next? The new report highlights many of the recommendations we have previously made and we will continue to emphasise these: our work on tenancy agreements, on holding local authorities to account and on ending discrimination.
We support the work of the EOC and call for national action across Government departments and for synergy between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to ensure a national strategy is planned and delivered. We also plan to build on our “in the headlines” research to drive forward a national Zero Tolerance campaign on discrimination. Hopefully, we are not facing another 12 years of inaction!
Dorchester police to move Travellers on next week - Dorset
From the Dorset Echo
Travellers remain on site at Came View Road in Dorchester but police say enforcement action could be taken to ensure they have moved on by next week.
Inspector Steve Marsh, of Dorchester Police, said the land the Travellers had set up on was owned by West Dorset District Council and his latest information was the council was seeking enforcement action, asking them to leave by April 5.
Travellers remain on site at Came View Road in Dorchester but police say enforcement action could be taken to ensure they have moved on by next week.
Inspector Steve Marsh, of Dorchester Police, said the land the Travellers had set up on was owned by West Dorset District Council and his latest information was the council was seeking enforcement action, asking them to leave by April 5.
Gypsy Traveller encampments set up on private land - Dunbartonshire
From the Lennox Herald
Illegal camps on private land could rise as council chiefs take a tough stance on Travellers setting up temporary homes on their land.
West Dunbartonshire Council has this week confirmed it will continue to take swift action against those parking up mobile homes on local authority plots.
But there are fears this could push the Travellers, who set up camp at the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate earlier this month, into other areas.
A member of the public who spotted the camp at the site just north of Dumbarton was appalled to see the mess which was left behind once the Travellers moved on.
He said: “They have dumped stuff in the road and there’s litter lying everywhere. They have even been defecating on the steps. It’s absolutely disgusting.”
A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman confirmed the local authority had no power over the camp at the industrial estate. She said: “West Dunbartonshire Council does not own the land so has no direct responsibility for bringing the encampment to an end or for clearing up afterwards.
“However, the council takes prompt legal action to end illegal encampments on its own land which may explain an apparent increase in illegal camps on sites not owned by the council.
“The council’s first response is to establish who owns the land on which an illegal camp is set up.
“Where it is on council-owned land, we are responsible for dealing with the eviction and managing the camp during the eviction process. The council gives bin bags to occupants and clears the site after they’ve moved on.”
We reported last summer consideration was being given by the council to look at ways of preventing Travellers setting up temporary homes in the area including at Havoc, but the spokeswoman confirmed there had been no change to its policy since then.
Illegal camps on private land could rise as council chiefs take a tough stance on Travellers setting up temporary homes on their land.
West Dunbartonshire Council has this week confirmed it will continue to take swift action against those parking up mobile homes on local authority plots.
But there are fears this could push the Travellers, who set up camp at the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate earlier this month, into other areas.
A member of the public who spotted the camp at the site just north of Dumbarton was appalled to see the mess which was left behind once the Travellers moved on.
He said: “They have dumped stuff in the road and there’s litter lying everywhere. They have even been defecating on the steps. It’s absolutely disgusting.”
A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman confirmed the local authority had no power over the camp at the industrial estate. She said: “West Dunbartonshire Council does not own the land so has no direct responsibility for bringing the encampment to an end or for clearing up afterwards.
“However, the council takes prompt legal action to end illegal encampments on its own land which may explain an apparent increase in illegal camps on sites not owned by the council.
“The council’s first response is to establish who owns the land on which an illegal camp is set up.
“Where it is on council-owned land, we are responsible for dealing with the eviction and managing the camp during the eviction process. The council gives bin bags to occupants and clears the site after they’ve moved on.”
We reported last summer consideration was being given by the council to look at ways of preventing Travellers setting up temporary homes in the area including at Havoc, but the spokeswoman confirmed there had been no change to its policy since then.
New laws to stop Travellers' sites
From the Evening Standard
Councils will be given stronger powers to stop illegal Travellers' sites being set up, Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.
Local authorities are currently constrained in taking immediate action against caravans used as a main residence which they suspect are in breach of planning rules, but Mr Pickles has said the regulations will be scrapped.
The move is aimed at preventing another Dale Farm, where a long-running legal battle was fought before bailiffs moved in to evict Travellers from the site in Essex.
Mr Pickles said: "Drawn-out cases like Dale Farm threatened to bring the legal system into disrepute: I'm determined that we do all we can to avoid situations like that in future.
"In breach of planning law, Travellers move in over a bank holiday weekend and it can take years for councils to remove them. Such episodes give the whole travelling community a bad name and fuel community tensions.
"But these new powers will stop those caravans in their tracks. By making these changes, we will stand squarely behind those who play by the rules and use the full force of the law against those who break them."
Under the changes, local authorities will be given greater freedom to issue "temporary stop notices", backed up by potentially unlimited fines, against Travellers who attempt to breach planning rules.
The new powers for councils in England will come into force once the current legislation is revoked, which the Department for Communities and Local Government said would happen "at the earliest opportunity".
see also: The Sun - Big fat Gypsy fines
The Telegraph - Town halls given new powers to combat Traveller camps
The Daily Star - NEW TRAVELLER SITE POWERS UNVEILED
Heart FM - New Traveller Site Powers Unveiled
The Independent.ie - New Traveller site powers unveiled
Gov.uk - Improving councils’ powers to tackle unauthorised development
Town and Country Planning (Temporary Stop Notice)(England) Regulations 2005
The Guardian - Councils to get tougher powers to tackle Traveller sites
The Western Daily Press - Extra power for councils to stop illegal Travellers' sites springing up
The Express - Illegal Gypsy camps to face £20,000 fines
The Western Morning News - New powers to tackle illegal Travellers' sites
The Mercury - Government crackdown to stop illegal Travellers
Councils will be given stronger powers to stop illegal Travellers' sites being set up, Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.
Local authorities are currently constrained in taking immediate action against caravans used as a main residence which they suspect are in breach of planning rules, but Mr Pickles has said the regulations will be scrapped.
The move is aimed at preventing another Dale Farm, where a long-running legal battle was fought before bailiffs moved in to evict Travellers from the site in Essex.
Mr Pickles said: "Drawn-out cases like Dale Farm threatened to bring the legal system into disrepute: I'm determined that we do all we can to avoid situations like that in future.
"In breach of planning law, Travellers move in over a bank holiday weekend and it can take years for councils to remove them. Such episodes give the whole travelling community a bad name and fuel community tensions.
"But these new powers will stop those caravans in their tracks. By making these changes, we will stand squarely behind those who play by the rules and use the full force of the law against those who break them."
Under the changes, local authorities will be given greater freedom to issue "temporary stop notices", backed up by potentially unlimited fines, against Travellers who attempt to breach planning rules.
The new powers for councils in England will come into force once the current legislation is revoked, which the Department for Communities and Local Government said would happen "at the earliest opportunity".
see also: The Sun - Big fat Gypsy fines
The Telegraph - Town halls given new powers to combat Traveller camps
The Daily Star - NEW TRAVELLER SITE POWERS UNVEILED
Heart FM - New Traveller Site Powers Unveiled
The Independent.ie - New Traveller site powers unveiled
Gov.uk - Improving councils’ powers to tackle unauthorised development
Town and Country Planning (Temporary Stop Notice)(England) Regulations 2005
The Guardian - Councils to get tougher powers to tackle Traveller sites
The Western Daily Press - Extra power for councils to stop illegal Travellers' sites springing up
The Express - Illegal Gypsy camps to face £20,000 fines
The Western Morning News - New powers to tackle illegal Travellers' sites
The Mercury - Government crackdown to stop illegal Travellers
Calls for action to stop Gypsies from moving in on Holditch Industrial Estate in Newcastle - Staffordshire
From the Sentinel
COMMUNITY leaders are calling for barriers to be installed on an industrial estate to stop Travellers setting up camp.
They have raised concerns over Gypsies continually moving on to a turning area at the end of Pit Head Close on Holditch Industrial Estate, Newcastle.
It is believed the site has been used four times in as many months with taxpayers footing the bill for the subsequent clean up operations.
Now councillors want restrictions installed to prevent Travellers returning to the area.
Yesterday five caravans were parked on the land along with a number of vans, a horse trailer and a horse.
Labour councillor Michael Clarke, who represents the Holditch ward, said the clean-up costs between £800 and £900 every time staff are forced to take action.
He said: "It is not fair on the residents living close to the area nor the businesses on that industrial estate.
"The mess that is left behind is not pleasant and ranges from household to human waste."
The land in question is owned by Staffordshire County Counci which reimburses Newcastle Borough Council for tidying it up when the Gypsies move on.
Mr Clarke added: "It is a phone call I am making often to our officers to let them know the Travellers have returned.
"They will then contact the county council who will seek legal action to evict them.
"It is a turning area that they use which has double-yellow lines on it so they shouldn't be on there at all."
It has also been claimed the area has become a 'no-go' zone for families due to the stretch attracting truck drivers looking for a place to stay overnight and using it as an outdoor toilet.
Mr Clarke added: "It is used by people walking their dogs but I know that people do feel intimidated to go near the area now."
Fellow Labour ward councillor Sophia Baker said: "The trouble that we are having is the Travellers will go and soon return – it is a problem that needs addressing.
"I know that everybody needs somewhere to live but this is not a designated area for Travellers.
"It has become a recurring problem and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
"This is a stretch where we have had problems with lorry drivers in the past and it just isn't fair on local residents."
The area in question – which is directly outside the New Look distribution centre – is in range of houses on Loomer Road.
Nobody at Staffordshire County Council was available to comment.
COMMUNITY leaders are calling for barriers to be installed on an industrial estate to stop Travellers setting up camp.
They have raised concerns over Gypsies continually moving on to a turning area at the end of Pit Head Close on Holditch Industrial Estate, Newcastle.
It is believed the site has been used four times in as many months with taxpayers footing the bill for the subsequent clean up operations.
Now councillors want restrictions installed to prevent Travellers returning to the area.
Yesterday five caravans were parked on the land along with a number of vans, a horse trailer and a horse.
Labour councillor Michael Clarke, who represents the Holditch ward, said the clean-up costs between £800 and £900 every time staff are forced to take action.
He said: "It is not fair on the residents living close to the area nor the businesses on that industrial estate.
"The mess that is left behind is not pleasant and ranges from household to human waste."
The land in question is owned by Staffordshire County Counci which reimburses Newcastle Borough Council for tidying it up when the Gypsies move on.
Mr Clarke added: "It is a phone call I am making often to our officers to let them know the Travellers have returned.
"They will then contact the county council who will seek legal action to evict them.
"It is a turning area that they use which has double-yellow lines on it so they shouldn't be on there at all."
It has also been claimed the area has become a 'no-go' zone for families due to the stretch attracting truck drivers looking for a place to stay overnight and using it as an outdoor toilet.
Mr Clarke added: "It is used by people walking their dogs but I know that people do feel intimidated to go near the area now."
Fellow Labour ward councillor Sophia Baker said: "The trouble that we are having is the Travellers will go and soon return – it is a problem that needs addressing.
"I know that everybody needs somewhere to live but this is not a designated area for Travellers.
"It has become a recurring problem and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
"This is a stretch where we have had problems with lorry drivers in the past and it just isn't fair on local residents."
The area in question – which is directly outside the New Look distribution centre – is in range of houses on Loomer Road.
Nobody at Staffordshire County Council was available to comment.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
French Travellers take over Worcester car park - Worcestershire
From the Worcester News
A GROUP of French Travellers who have descended on a Worcester car park have been warned by police they must leave within 24 hours of their arrival.
Eight caravans arrived at The Moors car park near the Swan Theatre by Pitchcroft at around 1pm.
A council spokesman said: “Worcester City Council has served directions to leave on each of the eight Travellers’ caravans currently parked on The Moors car park.
“The Travellers, who are all French-speaking, have been on the council owned car park beside the Swan Theatre since 1pm.
“Council officers have concluded that there is no reason why the Travellers should not move on.
“If the directions to leave are not complied with within 24 hours, we will seek a court listing.
“If the case goes to court we will be seeking compensation for the loss of earnings at this pay and display car park.
“We are liaising with the police and Worcestershire County Council on the handling of this matter.”
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said Sgt Carl Jones, a policing sergeant for Cathedral ward, spoke to the Travellers in French telling them that Worcester City Council is obliged to serve a notice on them to leave.
He said: “They have said they intend to move on in the next few days.”
The Travellers, who spoke some English, said they were here from Strasbourg in France and had come for work, specifically to sharpen tools.
One of the men, who would not be named, said: “I like England. I also like Scotland and Wales.”
A GROUP of French Travellers who have descended on a Worcester car park have been warned by police they must leave within 24 hours of their arrival.
Eight caravans arrived at The Moors car park near the Swan Theatre by Pitchcroft at around 1pm.
A council spokesman said: “Worcester City Council has served directions to leave on each of the eight Travellers’ caravans currently parked on The Moors car park.
“The Travellers, who are all French-speaking, have been on the council owned car park beside the Swan Theatre since 1pm.
“Council officers have concluded that there is no reason why the Travellers should not move on.
“If the directions to leave are not complied with within 24 hours, we will seek a court listing.
“If the case goes to court we will be seeking compensation for the loss of earnings at this pay and display car park.
“We are liaising with the police and Worcestershire County Council on the handling of this matter.”
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said Sgt Carl Jones, a policing sergeant for Cathedral ward, spoke to the Travellers in French telling them that Worcester City Council is obliged to serve a notice on them to leave.
He said: “They have said they intend to move on in the next few days.”
The Travellers, who spoke some English, said they were here from Strasbourg in France and had come for work, specifically to sharpen tools.
One of the men, who would not be named, said: “I like England. I also like Scotland and Wales.”
Travellers told to leave Carn Brea car park - Cornwall
From the West Briton
A GROUP of Irish Travellers have been given notice to leave the car park at Carn Brea Leisure Centre.
They arrived in the Pool area after being ordered off the former Richard Lander School site in Truro, where they had been for a fortnight.
Ten caravans arrived at Carn Brea on Friday, followed by six more on Saturday.
The leisure centre site is owned by Cornwall Council and leased by Carn Brea Leisure Centre Trust. Steps have been taken to move them on.
A spokesman said: "Cornwall Council, along with Carn Brea Leisure Centre Trust, are aware of the unauthorised encampment ... of Irish heritage Travellers.
"Carn Brea Leisure Centre have issued the travellers with a notice to move and are working with the council and the police to ensure the group move on as soon as possible."
A GROUP of Irish Travellers have been given notice to leave the car park at Carn Brea Leisure Centre.
They arrived in the Pool area after being ordered off the former Richard Lander School site in Truro, where they had been for a fortnight.
Ten caravans arrived at Carn Brea on Friday, followed by six more on Saturday.
The leisure centre site is owned by Cornwall Council and leased by Carn Brea Leisure Centre Trust. Steps have been taken to move them on.
A spokesman said: "Cornwall Council, along with Carn Brea Leisure Centre Trust, are aware of the unauthorised encampment ... of Irish heritage Travellers.
"Carn Brea Leisure Centre have issued the travellers with a notice to move and are working with the council and the police to ensure the group move on as soon as possible."
Travellers warn of protest at overcrowding at Oxney Road site - Cambridgeshire
From the Peterborough Telegraph
Travellers have threatened to protest against Peterborough City Council after claiming they are being ignored and being made to live in overcrowded conditions.
The Travellers who live at the Oxney Road Travellers Site in Peterborough are threatening to block roads around the site this weekend, after becoming frustrated with Peterborough City Council.
Jack Cunningham, spokesman for the residents of Oxney Road Travellers Site, said: “This has been going on for a number of years.
“The back field is left unkempt when it should be cleared, and fences and gates that should be repaired are left broken by the council.
“We have asked for children’s play equipment to be put on the site, as it is dangerous for children at the moment, because they are running across the road.
“We have asked for reasons why these things are not being sorted, but have not been given an answer.
“We are also overcrowded here.
“There are 24 pitches and there are more people here than there is space.
“The council tells us to find land for pitches, but then reject planning permission all the time.
“We are fed up with the situation, and will also carry out a protest near the site on Friday.”
A city council spokeswoman said negotiations were underway to try and solve the problems.
She said: “Oxney Road Travellers’ site is managed to a good standard with the support of the residents. We are looking to work with Enterprise Peterborough, which manages the site on our behalf, in order to address issues that have been raised by the residents with regards to maintenance and repairs.
“Our executive director of operations, Paul Phillipson met with the Travellers concerned on site to discuss these issues and further concerns around planning applications.
“These discussions included space issues at the site as we are aware it is currently at capacity.
“However, there is no simple solution with regards to the requirement for further sites.
“Therefore, Mr Phillipson has agreed to speak with the cabinet member for Housing, Neighbourhoods and Planning, Cllr Peter Hiller, and a future meeting with the Travellers will take place upon a date to be agreed.”
Cllr Hiller said: “As a responsible authority we are keen to find sites for Travellers to make pleasant living environments for their families.
“Paul and I do plan to meet with Travellers and their representatives in the next two or three weeks to look at the issues.
He added: “It is always an emotive subject when we are looking at where camp sites should go.”
Travellers have threatened to protest against Peterborough City Council after claiming they are being ignored and being made to live in overcrowded conditions.
The Travellers who live at the Oxney Road Travellers Site in Peterborough are threatening to block roads around the site this weekend, after becoming frustrated with Peterborough City Council.
Jack Cunningham, spokesman for the residents of Oxney Road Travellers Site, said: “This has been going on for a number of years.
“The back field is left unkempt when it should be cleared, and fences and gates that should be repaired are left broken by the council.
“We have asked for children’s play equipment to be put on the site, as it is dangerous for children at the moment, because they are running across the road.
“We have asked for reasons why these things are not being sorted, but have not been given an answer.
“We are also overcrowded here.
“There are 24 pitches and there are more people here than there is space.
“The council tells us to find land for pitches, but then reject planning permission all the time.
“We are fed up with the situation, and will also carry out a protest near the site on Friday.”
A city council spokeswoman said negotiations were underway to try and solve the problems.
She said: “Oxney Road Travellers’ site is managed to a good standard with the support of the residents. We are looking to work with Enterprise Peterborough, which manages the site on our behalf, in order to address issues that have been raised by the residents with regards to maintenance and repairs.
“Our executive director of operations, Paul Phillipson met with the Travellers concerned on site to discuss these issues and further concerns around planning applications.
“These discussions included space issues at the site as we are aware it is currently at capacity.
“However, there is no simple solution with regards to the requirement for further sites.
“Therefore, Mr Phillipson has agreed to speak with the cabinet member for Housing, Neighbourhoods and Planning, Cllr Peter Hiller, and a future meeting with the Travellers will take place upon a date to be agreed.”
Cllr Hiller said: “As a responsible authority we are keen to find sites for Travellers to make pleasant living environments for their families.
“Paul and I do plan to meet with Travellers and their representatives in the next two or three weeks to look at the issues.
He added: “It is always an emotive subject when we are looking at where camp sites should go.”
Travellers - Wood Road, Battram - Leicestershire
From North West Leicestershire District Council
The District Council are aware of a group of Travellers, consists of 15-20 caravans, moving onto land at Wood Road, Battram. The land is owned by Leicestershire County Council and therefore, it is LCC who have responsibility for the land and the clearing of the site.
Officers from the Multi Agency Traveller Unit have attended the site this morning (Thursday 28 March) to serve a Direction To Leave Notice on the occupants of the site. The notice requires occupants to remove all caravans and possessions from the land no later than 6.00pm on Monday 1st April 2013.
For further information regarding this matter please contact the Multi Agency Travellers Unit at Leicestershire County Council on 0116 305 5428.
The District Council are aware of a group of Travellers, consists of 15-20 caravans, moving onto land at Wood Road, Battram. The land is owned by Leicestershire County Council and therefore, it is LCC who have responsibility for the land and the clearing of the site.
Officers from the Multi Agency Traveller Unit have attended the site this morning (Thursday 28 March) to serve a Direction To Leave Notice on the occupants of the site. The notice requires occupants to remove all caravans and possessions from the land no later than 6.00pm on Monday 1st April 2013.
For further information regarding this matter please contact the Multi Agency Travellers Unit at Leicestershire County Council on 0116 305 5428.
Basildon Council orders Dale Farm families to pay for their own eviction - Essex
From the Traveller Solidarity Movement
In October 2011, Basildon Council violently evicted 83 families from land they owned (at Dale Farm) because they did not have planning permission. Now, Basildon Council has told families who have virtually nothing left that they must pay £4.3 million for the cost of the eviction!
Many of the families had lived in Basildon for over 10 years: their children were born in the borough, attend the local school and were the first generation in the community to learn to read and write. The bulldozers turned this once thriving and close-knit community into a virtual wasteland, creating deep troughs and huge banks of earth to make it uninhabitable.
In the 18 months since the eviction, the families, including elderly people, young children and those with serious health conditions, have been living in refugee camp conditions by the side of the road leading to their former home. They have limited access to electricity, heating, running water and sanitation.
In 2006, an official planning needs assessment stated the need for 157-163 new pitches for ‘Gypsy’ and Traveller families in Basildon by 2011. In that time, the Council provided no new pitches. Rather than help the families identify sites where they could get planning permission, Basildon Council spent a significant proportion of its budget on protracted legal proceedings, the infamous Dale Farm eviction and a recent £1.1 million contract for bailiffs to complete more evictions in the future.
Families at Dale Farm have always said that they would leave Dale Farm if there was somewhere else for them to go. The Council knows that the families have no way of ever paying the £4.3 million eviction price and have stated that they will seize Dale Farm in lieu of costs.
This is a shocking land grab by the council, who are forcing the families to pay for the unjust eviction that made them homeless.
Mary Sheridan, a former Dale Farm resident, said “Basildon Council say we have to pay for what they did to us. Imagine all the good things they could’ve done with that money, instead of making us homeless — new sites or putting it into schools or doctors for people. We didn’t choose what happened to us, they did — we’ve paid enough already, we’ve already lost our homes and had our community torn apart, but they still want more.
This isn’t really a human way to be living or to treat people. It’s not a way for government people or councils to be carrying on. It’s really horrible that in this century, people can treat people like that and get away with it. It’s absolutely horrible. I know our kids and other people in 20 or 30 years time, or 100 years from now, they are going to say ‘How did England let that happen?’”
In October 2011, Basildon Council violently evicted 83 families from land they owned (at Dale Farm) because they did not have planning permission. Now, Basildon Council has told families who have virtually nothing left that they must pay £4.3 million for the cost of the eviction!
Many of the families had lived in Basildon for over 10 years: their children were born in the borough, attend the local school and were the first generation in the community to learn to read and write. The bulldozers turned this once thriving and close-knit community into a virtual wasteland, creating deep troughs and huge banks of earth to make it uninhabitable.
In the 18 months since the eviction, the families, including elderly people, young children and those with serious health conditions, have been living in refugee camp conditions by the side of the road leading to their former home. They have limited access to electricity, heating, running water and sanitation.
In 2006, an official planning needs assessment stated the need for 157-163 new pitches for ‘Gypsy’ and Traveller families in Basildon by 2011. In that time, the Council provided no new pitches. Rather than help the families identify sites where they could get planning permission, Basildon Council spent a significant proportion of its budget on protracted legal proceedings, the infamous Dale Farm eviction and a recent £1.1 million contract for bailiffs to complete more evictions in the future.
Families at Dale Farm have always said that they would leave Dale Farm if there was somewhere else for them to go. The Council knows that the families have no way of ever paying the £4.3 million eviction price and have stated that they will seize Dale Farm in lieu of costs.
This is a shocking land grab by the council, who are forcing the families to pay for the unjust eviction that made them homeless.
Mary Sheridan, a former Dale Farm resident, said “Basildon Council say we have to pay for what they did to us. Imagine all the good things they could’ve done with that money, instead of making us homeless — new sites or putting it into schools or doctors for people. We didn’t choose what happened to us, they did — we’ve paid enough already, we’ve already lost our homes and had our community torn apart, but they still want more.
This isn’t really a human way to be living or to treat people. It’s not a way for government people or councils to be carrying on. It’s really horrible that in this century, people can treat people like that and get away with it. It’s absolutely horrible. I know our kids and other people in 20 or 30 years time, or 100 years from now, they are going to say ‘How did England let that happen?’”
Resolving conflict: planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites
From the Chartered Institute of Housing
Jo Richardson, principal lecturer in the department of politics and public policy at De Montfort University in Leicester, shares her research ideas on planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
Some people think planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites is too contentious and it gets put on the ‘difficult’ pile of things to do. However, with good leadership and strategic planning, the issue of site provision should be the same as planning for housing in the community. I recently spoke at a Local Government Association conference in London on the need for political leadership on planning for sites and was joined in this by two local politicians passionate about leading the debate in their constituency and getting on with delivery.
It is a hard thing to do: supporting Gypsy and Traveller sites in the face of often hostile local opposition. But there are clear cases – legal, business and social – for delivering sites (as found in my research for JRF in 2007). This is especially so in the new climate of the National Planning Policy Framework which has seen a flurry of activity in the commissioning of updates to Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessments. Councils are also attempting to identify a five-year land supply to include in local plans by the end of March, as required by the government’s Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.
Nevertheless, there are challenges in proposing new sites to local communities. At my recent seminar, kindly sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council and supported by CIH and the Royal Town Planning Institute, university academics, policy and practice professionals and Gypsy/Traveller community members came together to discuss ways of mediating conflict in planning for sites.
We heard ideas from Professor David Laws (University of Amsterdam) on conflict resolution techniques in urban planning and ideas on managing ‘hot change’. Delegates also debated the need for further comparative research, such as contested land rights, issues facing indigenous communities in Australia and the links there might be with Gypsy and Traveller site issues. A colleague from the Institute of Race Relations also discussed his research on the seemingly growing number of ‘anti-Traveller’ campaign groups.
Two key research ideas emerged for me, which I would like to follow up soon:
The need to examine the reasons behind ‘no’ in the planning process. Oft-cited by objectors are: house values dropping and potential increased crime. There needs to be up-to-date research looking at these two issues which can be used as evidence to support the planning process. In addition research should be undertaken on the more emotional reasons behind objection to planning applications both for the provision of sites, but also more generally for affordable housing too.
The need for a detailed case study using conflict assessment to map out where tensions lie in a particular planning case for a Gypsy and Traveller site.
The second seminar is about to commence at the University of Sheffield where access to public services such as health and education is the focus. Following on from that the final session in June will be held at Westminster where the representation of Gypsies and Travellers in media and political discourse will be under further scrutiny. For more information and emerging ideas and outputs from these seminars please visit www.dmu.ac.uk/esrc.
Follow Jo Richardson on Twitter: @socialhousing
Jo Richardson, principal lecturer in the department of politics and public policy at De Montfort University in Leicester, shares her research ideas on planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
Some people think planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites is too contentious and it gets put on the ‘difficult’ pile of things to do. However, with good leadership and strategic planning, the issue of site provision should be the same as planning for housing in the community. I recently spoke at a Local Government Association conference in London on the need for political leadership on planning for sites and was joined in this by two local politicians passionate about leading the debate in their constituency and getting on with delivery.
It is a hard thing to do: supporting Gypsy and Traveller sites in the face of often hostile local opposition. But there are clear cases – legal, business and social – for delivering sites (as found in my research for JRF in 2007). This is especially so in the new climate of the National Planning Policy Framework which has seen a flurry of activity in the commissioning of updates to Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessments. Councils are also attempting to identify a five-year land supply to include in local plans by the end of March, as required by the government’s Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.
Nevertheless, there are challenges in proposing new sites to local communities. At my recent seminar, kindly sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council and supported by CIH and the Royal Town Planning Institute, university academics, policy and practice professionals and Gypsy/Traveller community members came together to discuss ways of mediating conflict in planning for sites.
We heard ideas from Professor David Laws (University of Amsterdam) on conflict resolution techniques in urban planning and ideas on managing ‘hot change’. Delegates also debated the need for further comparative research, such as contested land rights, issues facing indigenous communities in Australia and the links there might be with Gypsy and Traveller site issues. A colleague from the Institute of Race Relations also discussed his research on the seemingly growing number of ‘anti-Traveller’ campaign groups.
Two key research ideas emerged for me, which I would like to follow up soon:
The need to examine the reasons behind ‘no’ in the planning process. Oft-cited by objectors are: house values dropping and potential increased crime. There needs to be up-to-date research looking at these two issues which can be used as evidence to support the planning process. In addition research should be undertaken on the more emotional reasons behind objection to planning applications both for the provision of sites, but also more generally for affordable housing too.
The need for a detailed case study using conflict assessment to map out where tensions lie in a particular planning case for a Gypsy and Traveller site.
The second seminar is about to commence at the University of Sheffield where access to public services such as health and education is the focus. Following on from that the final session in June will be held at Westminster where the representation of Gypsies and Travellers in media and political discourse will be under further scrutiny. For more information and emerging ideas and outputs from these seminars please visit www.dmu.ac.uk/esrc.
Follow Jo Richardson on Twitter: @socialhousing
AM joins fight over Gypsy site - Glamorganshire
From the South Wales Evening Post
RESIDENTS fighting to save green space in Gorseinon have won the backing of an AM.
Two areas in the town are on a short-list for a second permanent Gypsy Traveller site — the rear of Parc Melyn Mynach and the proposed cemetery.
Byron Davies, regional Assembly Member for South Wales West, has called on Swansea Council to scrap the short-list and go back to the drawing board.
He has written to the local authority, backing the protesters and calling for a rethink.
Mr Davies said that the site at Melyn Mynach was considered a leisure area for Gorseinon.
And he said that the second Gorseinon site had initially been set aside for use as a cemetery. The existing cemetery at Kingsbridge is nearly full and he has asked what provision the council is making to provide an alternative site.
Mr Davies added: "It has also come to my attention that located south of Parc Melyn Mynach is a 12th-century mill known as Monk's Mill. The proximity of this building to the proposed site is of concern as it is felt that only further destruction of the mill will occur (by building on this site)."
Mr Davies said that the proposed sites at the greyhound stadium and at Swansea Vale were designated as special areas of conservation, rural development or countryside for employment or commercial use. The shortlisted sites in Swansea Vale and Penderry also abut residential areas.
The AM said the position of the new site should be somewhere away from existing residential areas and most employment sites. He urged the council to look at brownfield sites, avoiding greenfield wherever possible, with "a buffer between these sites and existing houses to avoid noise and visual effects". Plans to create a second permanent Gypsy Traveller site in Swansea have been out for public consultation for the past few months. That consultation period ends on Sunday.
As part of that consultation, the council published all of its documents relating to the creation of the short-list.
The publication of the documents followed an internal and external review of the process through which the sites were whittled down.
Separate legal reviews of claims that an agreement was made by the old West Glamorgan County Council to not place a second site in Llansamlet were carried out by the council's monitoring officer and one of the UK's leading barristers in constitutional matters. They concluded no such agreement had taken place.
Hard copies have been made available and anyone interested has been able to comment online — more than a 1,000 views have been submitted so far.
RESIDENTS fighting to save green space in Gorseinon have won the backing of an AM.
Two areas in the town are on a short-list for a second permanent Gypsy Traveller site — the rear of Parc Melyn Mynach and the proposed cemetery.
Byron Davies, regional Assembly Member for South Wales West, has called on Swansea Council to scrap the short-list and go back to the drawing board.
He has written to the local authority, backing the protesters and calling for a rethink.
Mr Davies said that the site at Melyn Mynach was considered a leisure area for Gorseinon.
And he said that the second Gorseinon site had initially been set aside for use as a cemetery. The existing cemetery at Kingsbridge is nearly full and he has asked what provision the council is making to provide an alternative site.
Mr Davies added: "It has also come to my attention that located south of Parc Melyn Mynach is a 12th-century mill known as Monk's Mill. The proximity of this building to the proposed site is of concern as it is felt that only further destruction of the mill will occur (by building on this site)."
Mr Davies said that the proposed sites at the greyhound stadium and at Swansea Vale were designated as special areas of conservation, rural development or countryside for employment or commercial use. The shortlisted sites in Swansea Vale and Penderry also abut residential areas.
The AM said the position of the new site should be somewhere away from existing residential areas and most employment sites. He urged the council to look at brownfield sites, avoiding greenfield wherever possible, with "a buffer between these sites and existing houses to avoid noise and visual effects". Plans to create a second permanent Gypsy Traveller site in Swansea have been out for public consultation for the past few months. That consultation period ends on Sunday.
As part of that consultation, the council published all of its documents relating to the creation of the short-list.
The publication of the documents followed an internal and external review of the process through which the sites were whittled down.
Separate legal reviews of claims that an agreement was made by the old West Glamorgan County Council to not place a second site in Llansamlet were carried out by the council's monitoring officer and one of the UK's leading barristers in constitutional matters. They concluded no such agreement had taken place.
Hard copies have been made available and anyone interested has been able to comment online — more than a 1,000 views have been submitted so far.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Travellers move onto West Bridgford playing field - Nottinghamshire
From the Nottingham Post
TRAVELLERS have moved onto playing fields in West Bridgford.
They have set up camp on the pitches by Gresham Sports Centre.
Rushcliffe Borough Council said it has closed the pitches temporarily and says it is working with the police to have them moved on.
It has led to the moving of a touch rugby session which was planned there this evening.
It will now be held at Nottingham Trent University’s astro-turf pitches at their Clifton campus.
see also: The Nottingham Post - In pictures: Travellers arrive at Gresham Pavilion
ITV - Sports ground closed after Travellers illegally set up camp in car park
TRAVELLERS have moved onto playing fields in West Bridgford.
They have set up camp on the pitches by Gresham Sports Centre.
Rushcliffe Borough Council said it has closed the pitches temporarily and says it is working with the police to have them moved on.
It has led to the moving of a touch rugby session which was planned there this evening.
It will now be held at Nottingham Trent University’s astro-turf pitches at their Clifton campus.
see also: The Nottingham Post - In pictures: Travellers arrive at Gresham Pavilion
ITV - Sports ground closed after Travellers illegally set up camp in car park
More than 20 officers swoop in dawn raid on Hatfield Travellers’ site - Hertfordshire
From the Welwyn and Hatfield Times
A TRAVELLERS’ site in Hatfield was raided by 25 police officers this morning (Wednesday).
Hertfordshire Constabulary said 25 officers took part in the dawn raid at the Holwell site, over animal cruelty fears.
Police, including officers from the specialist Rural Operation Support Team, and representatives from the RSPCA took part in executing the warrant.
Police said four people were arrested, and a dog and “a number” of birds were seized under the Wildlife Act.
Chief Inspector for Welwyn Hatfield, Dave Wheatley said: “The activity today was at a small number of properties on the site, based on information about suspected criminal activity associated with the welfare of animals.
“I would like to thank the members of the travelling community for their patience and support whilst we conducted enquiries on the site this morning.”
A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “We are aware of this incident.
“As it is a live investigation, we cannot release any further information at present but we will be providing more information as soon as possible.”
• Two men aged 23 and 22 and a 17-year-old boy, from Hatfield, were arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and theft. He is in police custody at present.
• A 31-year-old man was also arrested for a separate theft offence.
A TRAVELLERS’ site in Hatfield was raided by 25 police officers this morning (Wednesday).
Hertfordshire Constabulary said 25 officers took part in the dawn raid at the Holwell site, over animal cruelty fears.
Police, including officers from the specialist Rural Operation Support Team, and representatives from the RSPCA took part in executing the warrant.
Police said four people were arrested, and a dog and “a number” of birds were seized under the Wildlife Act.
Chief Inspector for Welwyn Hatfield, Dave Wheatley said: “The activity today was at a small number of properties on the site, based on information about suspected criminal activity associated with the welfare of animals.
“I would like to thank the members of the travelling community for their patience and support whilst we conducted enquiries on the site this morning.”
A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “We are aware of this incident.
“As it is a live investigation, we cannot release any further information at present but we will be providing more information as soon as possible.”
• Two men aged 23 and 22 and a 17-year-old boy, from Hatfield, were arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and theft. He is in police custody at present.
• A 31-year-old man was also arrested for a separate theft offence.
Protestors prepare final days of consultation of Swansea's second Gypsy and Traveller site - Glamorgan
From the South Wales Evening Post
RESIDENTS opposing a second permanent Travellers' site being located in their communities are stepping up their campaigns as the public consultation on the plans enters its final days.
Five sites have been earmarked as possible sites for Swansea's second Gypsy and Travellers' site — one each in Fforestfach, Swansea Vale and Penlan and two in Gorseinon.
In each area a vigorous campaign is being run to oppose the site, including petitions and mass protests.
The consultation on the plans comes to an end this week — leaving the council with a difficult decision to make about which one to choose.
Bob Clay, of the Swansea Vale campaign, said the strength of feeling among people in Llansamlet was demonstrated by the number of names on the petition, which now stands at more than 5,000.
He said: "We believe the strong response to the consultation makes the case absolutely overwhelming.
"We have got absolutely nothing against travelling families but the Llansamlet site is completely inappropriate — for a start it would need a new access road costing hundreds of thousands of pounds, money the council simply does not have.
"We already have one permanent site here, and many of the older residents can remember a pledge being made when that opened in 1987 that there would not be another one here until other communities in Swansea had shared the burden — the council is going back on that, and a lot of people are very angry."
Mr Clay said the petition of names — each one of which had been checked against the electoral register for the ward — would be handed to the council on Thursday.
Feelings are running just as high over the other possible sites. Earlier this month hundreds of people staged a mass protest against the new site being located in Gorseinon, while the town council and chamber of trade have both opposed the move.
Residents, the council and chamber all argue the parcels of land being considered are both unsuitable for a Travellers' site, and have long- established uses.
People in Penlan fighting against the second site coming to their area have also said the land, opposite Penlan common, should be used for their community instead — with ideas ranging from a children's playground to a community centre, housing and shops.
Last year hundreds of residents took the streets to protest against the plans, and campaign leaflets have called for the council to look at "the needs of the whole community".
Similar sentiments have been expressed about the possibility of the second site being established at the former dog track in Fforestfach, with the Swansea West Business Park Forum — which represents 200 firms on the nearby business park — formally objecting to the plan.
Local councils in Wales are required by law to provide adequate accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers. Swansea's only permanent site — in Pant-y-Blawd Road, Swansea Enterprise Park — has been full for some time, and a councillor-led task and finish group has reviewed more than 1,000 local authority-owned parcels of land to find a suitable second site. The shortlist of five candidate sites was revealed by the Evening Post last year.
The public consultation process ends on Thursday. Swansea Council leader David Phillips said: "The council wants the public to play a full part in this process and people will have until the end of March to give us their views.
"No decisions have been made and none will be until after the public consultation has been completed."
RESIDENTS opposing a second permanent Travellers' site being located in their communities are stepping up their campaigns as the public consultation on the plans enters its final days.
Five sites have been earmarked as possible sites for Swansea's second Gypsy and Travellers' site — one each in Fforestfach, Swansea Vale and Penlan and two in Gorseinon.
In each area a vigorous campaign is being run to oppose the site, including petitions and mass protests.
The consultation on the plans comes to an end this week — leaving the council with a difficult decision to make about which one to choose.
Bob Clay, of the Swansea Vale campaign, said the strength of feeling among people in Llansamlet was demonstrated by the number of names on the petition, which now stands at more than 5,000.
He said: "We believe the strong response to the consultation makes the case absolutely overwhelming.
"We have got absolutely nothing against travelling families but the Llansamlet site is completely inappropriate — for a start it would need a new access road costing hundreds of thousands of pounds, money the council simply does not have.
"We already have one permanent site here, and many of the older residents can remember a pledge being made when that opened in 1987 that there would not be another one here until other communities in Swansea had shared the burden — the council is going back on that, and a lot of people are very angry."
Mr Clay said the petition of names — each one of which had been checked against the electoral register for the ward — would be handed to the council on Thursday.
Feelings are running just as high over the other possible sites. Earlier this month hundreds of people staged a mass protest against the new site being located in Gorseinon, while the town council and chamber of trade have both opposed the move.
Residents, the council and chamber all argue the parcels of land being considered are both unsuitable for a Travellers' site, and have long- established uses.
People in Penlan fighting against the second site coming to their area have also said the land, opposite Penlan common, should be used for their community instead — with ideas ranging from a children's playground to a community centre, housing and shops.
Last year hundreds of residents took the streets to protest against the plans, and campaign leaflets have called for the council to look at "the needs of the whole community".
Similar sentiments have been expressed about the possibility of the second site being established at the former dog track in Fforestfach, with the Swansea West Business Park Forum — which represents 200 firms on the nearby business park — formally objecting to the plan.
Local councils in Wales are required by law to provide adequate accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers. Swansea's only permanent site — in Pant-y-Blawd Road, Swansea Enterprise Park — has been full for some time, and a councillor-led task and finish group has reviewed more than 1,000 local authority-owned parcels of land to find a suitable second site. The shortlist of five candidate sites was revealed by the Evening Post last year.
The public consultation process ends on Thursday. Swansea Council leader David Phillips said: "The council wants the public to play a full part in this process and people will have until the end of March to give us their views.
"No decisions have been made and none will be until after the public consultation has been completed."
Travellers pitch up on Merton Meadow car-park - Herefordshire
From the Hereford Times
TRAVELLERS have moved onto the site of Hereford’s proposed “urban village”.
Around 15 caravans pitched up on the overflow car-park at Merton Meadow overnight.
Herefordshire Council has confirmed that its Traveller liaison officer will visit the site today (Wed).
TRAVELLERS have moved onto the site of Hereford’s proposed “urban village”.
Around 15 caravans pitched up on the overflow car-park at Merton Meadow overnight.
Herefordshire Council has confirmed that its Traveller liaison officer will visit the site today (Wed).
Meriden Travellers granted eviction date extension - West Midlands
From the Solihull Observer
LAST minute attempts by the Travellers in Meriden to stay at their illegal site have been thrown out by the High Court.
The group were trying to appeal against their eviction but the judge, Mr Justice Bean, said they must vacate the green belt land on Eaves Green Lane.
He did, however, grant them an extension to the date they have to leave by, moving the deadline from March 31 to April 21 because of the bad weather.
And they have to restore the green belt by May 21 or they could face prosecution.
Campaigners from Meriden RAID have maintained a constant vigil opposite the site for more than 1,000 days since the Travellers moved onto the land in May 2010.
David McGrath, from RAID, said all legal avenues have been exhausted and the Travellers must leave.
He said: "Our campaign will continue until the land is vacated and reinstated.
"This sends out a message nationally that local people are prepared to fight peacefully and tenaciously to defend their countryside from illegal development."
see also: The Daily Mail - Villagers' victory in their 1,000-day battle with gypsies: Travellers finally ordered to leave six-acre site after residents' three year vigil
The Coventry Telegraph - Travellers at Meriden given extra time - because of the bad weather
The Telegraph - Gypsies ordered to leave after three-year village fight
LAST minute attempts by the Travellers in Meriden to stay at their illegal site have been thrown out by the High Court.
The group were trying to appeal against their eviction but the judge, Mr Justice Bean, said they must vacate the green belt land on Eaves Green Lane.
He did, however, grant them an extension to the date they have to leave by, moving the deadline from March 31 to April 21 because of the bad weather.
And they have to restore the green belt by May 21 or they could face prosecution.
Campaigners from Meriden RAID have maintained a constant vigil opposite the site for more than 1,000 days since the Travellers moved onto the land in May 2010.
David McGrath, from RAID, said all legal avenues have been exhausted and the Travellers must leave.
He said: "Our campaign will continue until the land is vacated and reinstated.
"This sends out a message nationally that local people are prepared to fight peacefully and tenaciously to defend their countryside from illegal development."
see also: The Daily Mail - Villagers' victory in their 1,000-day battle with gypsies: Travellers finally ordered to leave six-acre site after residents' three year vigil
The Coventry Telegraph - Travellers at Meriden given extra time - because of the bad weather
The Telegraph - Gypsies ordered to leave after three-year village fight
Consultation on Travellers’ sites - Yorkshire
From the Press
A PUBLIC consultation on possible locations for new Travellers sites in East Yorkshire has been launched.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is planning to build two new sites and has submitted a range of proposals for land around Driffield, Bridlington, Beverley and Cottingham, with residents having until May 6 to give their views.
Studies have shown 25 extra Travellers pitches are needed in the area over the next five years. Previous proposals led to the council favouring two sites in Cottingham, and surveyors have now suggested land south of Woldgate, in Bridlington, could be used.
The authority has said it also wants to hear views on “alternative ways of meeting the needs of the Traveller community”. The consultation can be found at eastriding.gov.uk
A PUBLIC consultation on possible locations for new Travellers sites in East Yorkshire has been launched.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is planning to build two new sites and has submitted a range of proposals for land around Driffield, Bridlington, Beverley and Cottingham, with residents having until May 6 to give their views.
Studies have shown 25 extra Travellers pitches are needed in the area over the next five years. Previous proposals led to the council favouring two sites in Cottingham, and surveyors have now suggested land south of Woldgate, in Bridlington, could be used.
The authority has said it also wants to hear views on “alternative ways of meeting the needs of the Traveller community”. The consultation can be found at eastriding.gov.uk
Travellers pitch caravans on Stourport car park - Worcestshire
From the Shuttle
TRAVELLERS have pitched their caravans at a car park in Stourport, angering nearby residents.
The group suddenly set up camp in Vale Road car park on Monday morning to the dismay of people in the town. About seven caravans have been parked on the site, creating an eyesore, said resident Jonathan Cooper.
Wyre Forest District Council, which owns the car park, said it was currently in the process of trying to get the Travellers removed.
Mr Cooper said: “They’re causing a nuisance. They gradually turned up [on Monday]. It started off with one caravan and gradually came up to seven. We think it’s going to get bigger.
“They seem to be parked up like a permanent fixture but they are illegally parked.
“They are parking there for nothing when a lot of residents who live in Mitton Gardens have to pay and display to park outside their properties. It’s a bit of a concern for residents.”
He added the group had gas canisters at the site, causing residents to worry about the risk of fire or explosion. “I’m quite shocked,” Mr Cooper said.
“They have got quite big caravans. There’s a lot of concern and annoyance about it . The vans are parked up and they have made themselves at home.”
Linda Collis, director of community wellbeing and environment at the district council, said: “Wyre Forest District Council is in the process of obtaining a court order in relation to the breach of the parking places order at Vale Road Car Park, Stourport.
“The court order will require the removal of vehicles and caravans by their owners. We are progressing with the legal process as a priority but it involves the courts and, therefore, it will not happen instantly. In the meantime, we ask residents to exercise patience and we thank them for their co-operation.
“The council will continue to monitor the situation closely and will take any other appropriate action as necessary.”
TRAVELLERS have pitched their caravans at a car park in Stourport, angering nearby residents.
The group suddenly set up camp in Vale Road car park on Monday morning to the dismay of people in the town. About seven caravans have been parked on the site, creating an eyesore, said resident Jonathan Cooper.
Wyre Forest District Council, which owns the car park, said it was currently in the process of trying to get the Travellers removed.
Mr Cooper said: “They’re causing a nuisance. They gradually turned up [on Monday]. It started off with one caravan and gradually came up to seven. We think it’s going to get bigger.
“They seem to be parked up like a permanent fixture but they are illegally parked.
“They are parking there for nothing when a lot of residents who live in Mitton Gardens have to pay and display to park outside their properties. It’s a bit of a concern for residents.”
He added the group had gas canisters at the site, causing residents to worry about the risk of fire or explosion. “I’m quite shocked,” Mr Cooper said.
“They have got quite big caravans. There’s a lot of concern and annoyance about it . The vans are parked up and they have made themselves at home.”
Linda Collis, director of community wellbeing and environment at the district council, said: “Wyre Forest District Council is in the process of obtaining a court order in relation to the breach of the parking places order at Vale Road Car Park, Stourport.
“The court order will require the removal of vehicles and caravans by their owners. We are progressing with the legal process as a priority but it involves the courts and, therefore, it will not happen instantly. In the meantime, we ask residents to exercise patience and we thank them for their co-operation.
“The council will continue to monitor the situation closely and will take any other appropriate action as necessary.”
New Gypsy site plan for Murrays Lane expected - Surrey
From Woking People
WITHDRAWN plans for a Gypsy site in West Byfleet are likely to re-surface, a residents' group has warned.
Proposals for four pitches for an extended Romani Gypsy family on agricultural land off Murrays Lane were removed earlier this month.
Woking Borough Council received more than 1,000 comments relating to the site, mostly in objection to the proposals.
It is believed applicant Simon Ruston withdrew the application after concerns were raised about noise and flooding.
However Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford Residents' Association said it is likely a new application will be submitted once these issues are addressed.
When a new application is lodged, residents will need to re-state their objections, Richard Thomas, vice chairman of The Residents' Association said.
Mr Thomas said: "It has been removed I'm told because the local authority wanted more information.
"One was on ecology, one was on noise and one was on flooding and the applicant decided to withdraw the applications to enable him to collect that information I presume.
"It sounds as though it will start again.
"It will come back as a new application, with a new number and they will go through the process again.
"All those who wish to object will have to object again because the existing objections are relevant to that application and will die with that application."
The withdrawal followed two packed public meetings in February at Byfleet Village Hall for talks on the Murray Lane proposals.
WITHDRAWN plans for a Gypsy site in West Byfleet are likely to re-surface, a residents' group has warned.
Proposals for four pitches for an extended Romani Gypsy family on agricultural land off Murrays Lane were removed earlier this month.
Woking Borough Council received more than 1,000 comments relating to the site, mostly in objection to the proposals.
It is believed applicant Simon Ruston withdrew the application after concerns were raised about noise and flooding.
However Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford Residents' Association said it is likely a new application will be submitted once these issues are addressed.
When a new application is lodged, residents will need to re-state their objections, Richard Thomas, vice chairman of The Residents' Association said.
Mr Thomas said: "It has been removed I'm told because the local authority wanted more information.
"One was on ecology, one was on noise and one was on flooding and the applicant decided to withdraw the applications to enable him to collect that information I presume.
"It sounds as though it will start again.
"It will come back as a new application, with a new number and they will go through the process again.
"All those who wish to object will have to object again because the existing objections are relevant to that application and will die with that application."
The withdrawal followed two packed public meetings in February at Byfleet Village Hall for talks on the Murray Lane proposals.
New Traveller sites needed for growing population in Hull and East Riding - Yorkshire
From the Hull Daily Mail
THE East Riding's growing Gypsy and Traveller population has sparked plans for two new camps.
East Riding Council has three Traveller sites. They are in Eppleworth Road and off Harland Way in Cottingham and at Woldgate in Bridlington.
The East Riding's Traveller population stands at 488 people, but there is overcrowding.
The council has identified the need to provide a further 25 pitches on two sites that will accommodate about 100 extra people.
The proposed locations are Woldgate and Eppleworth Road, next to the existing sites, and a new location south of Moor Lane at Carnaby.
The extra sites provision will form part of the East Riding Council Local Plan, a blueprint for development from 2014 to 2029.
John Craig, East Riding Council forward planning and housing strategy manager, said: "What we are looking at is future needs. We are required to identify pitches for the first five years of the plan.
"The new pitches we're seeking to identify are to meet the needs of the resident population, which is increasing."
Rising Traveller and Gypsy populations are an issue across the UK.
Hidden Voices, the organisation that liaised between local authorities and Travellers' groups, has now been disbanded because its lottery funding ran out.
Elaine Bratton, Gypsy and Traveller community development worker for Hull, says overcrowding is a problem across East Yorkshire.
She said: "The sites have been built for 30-odd years and now the children have grown up and they want homes of their own.
"They want to live in caravans because that's what they know.
"Some of the older generation who have moved off the sites and into houses move back to be near their families."
THE East Riding's growing Gypsy and Traveller population has sparked plans for two new camps.
East Riding Council has three Traveller sites. They are in Eppleworth Road and off Harland Way in Cottingham and at Woldgate in Bridlington.
The East Riding's Traveller population stands at 488 people, but there is overcrowding.
The council has identified the need to provide a further 25 pitches on two sites that will accommodate about 100 extra people.
The proposed locations are Woldgate and Eppleworth Road, next to the existing sites, and a new location south of Moor Lane at Carnaby.
The extra sites provision will form part of the East Riding Council Local Plan, a blueprint for development from 2014 to 2029.
John Craig, East Riding Council forward planning and housing strategy manager, said: "What we are looking at is future needs. We are required to identify pitches for the first five years of the plan.
"The new pitches we're seeking to identify are to meet the needs of the resident population, which is increasing."
Rising Traveller and Gypsy populations are an issue across the UK.
Hidden Voices, the organisation that liaised between local authorities and Travellers' groups, has now been disbanded because its lottery funding ran out.
Elaine Bratton, Gypsy and Traveller community development worker for Hull, says overcrowding is a problem across East Yorkshire.
She said: "The sites have been built for 30-odd years and now the children have grown up and they want homes of their own.
"They want to live in caravans because that's what they know.
"Some of the older generation who have moved off the sites and into houses move back to be near their families."
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Travellers leave before eviction - Derbyshire
From the Matlock Mercury
A family of Travellers who faced eviction from Matlock Bath Station car park have left of their own free will.
Derbyshire Dales District Council had served an eviction notice on the family – who are about to be offered a temporary site in Rowsley – for Tuesday, March 26.
But the family left at 9am on the morning of the eviction for Cromford Meadows.
A family of Travellers who faced eviction from Matlock Bath Station car park have left of their own free will.
Derbyshire Dales District Council had served an eviction notice on the family – who are about to be offered a temporary site in Rowsley – for Tuesday, March 26.
But the family left at 9am on the morning of the eviction for Cromford Meadows.
Swansea Traveller site campaign stepped up in Llansamlet - Glamorgan
From the BBC
Residents opposing a second permanent Traveller site in the Llansamlet area of Swansea are stepping up their campaign as public consultation closes.
Llansamlet already hosts the city's only Traveller site which is full and Swansea council has to find more space.
There are five possible sites under consideration, including two in Gorseinon and others at Cockett and Penderry.
The council said residents had until 31 March to register their views.
The authority has said there are Gypsy and Traveller families in Swansea unable to access proper facilities.
Hilary Jenkins, chair of Llansamlet Against Second Travellers' Site, said: "The consultation ends on 31 March, but because of Easter the last working day to submit our views is 28 March.
"We will be stepping up our campaign over the next week or so, visiting the areas in the Llansamlet ward affected by the plans for the Travellers' site and asking people to sign our petition.
"We've collected more than 4,500 signatures so far which is over 40% of the electorate of Llansamlet.
"We then intend to hand the petition to Swansea council on 28 March, and a cabinet meeting is being held that day."
Mrs Jenkins said the action group had been leafleting businesses on Swansea Enterprise Park and urging them to take part in the consultation.
Gardens
"The planned site in Llansamlet is unsuitable for a Travellers' site," she added.
"There are several problems with it including overhead power lines, underground gas pipes, disused old coal mines and the site backs directly onto the back of people's gardens."
Last weekend around 300 to 400 people staged a protest opposing the Gorseinon locations - Parc Melyn Mynach and Heol-y-Mynydd.
Swansea council said the Welsh government has insisted all local authorities in Wales look at the needs of Gypsies and Travellers "as part of its assessment of accommodation needs".
Council leader David Phillips said: "The council wants the public to play a full part in this process and people will have until the end of March to give us their views.
"No decisions have been made about any site and none will be until after the public consultation has been completed."
Martin Saville, the council's head of public protection, said: "A number of Gypsy and Traveller families have lived in Swansea for quite some time without proper facilities for themselves and their children.
"We need to look at finding a suitable location to create a second legal site."
Residents opposing a second permanent Traveller site in the Llansamlet area of Swansea are stepping up their campaign as public consultation closes.
Llansamlet already hosts the city's only Traveller site which is full and Swansea council has to find more space.
There are five possible sites under consideration, including two in Gorseinon and others at Cockett and Penderry.
The council said residents had until 31 March to register their views.
The authority has said there are Gypsy and Traveller families in Swansea unable to access proper facilities.
Hilary Jenkins, chair of Llansamlet Against Second Travellers' Site, said: "The consultation ends on 31 March, but because of Easter the last working day to submit our views is 28 March.
"We will be stepping up our campaign over the next week or so, visiting the areas in the Llansamlet ward affected by the plans for the Travellers' site and asking people to sign our petition.
"We've collected more than 4,500 signatures so far which is over 40% of the electorate of Llansamlet.
"We then intend to hand the petition to Swansea council on 28 March, and a cabinet meeting is being held that day."
Mrs Jenkins said the action group had been leafleting businesses on Swansea Enterprise Park and urging them to take part in the consultation.
Gardens
"The planned site in Llansamlet is unsuitable for a Travellers' site," she added.
"There are several problems with it including overhead power lines, underground gas pipes, disused old coal mines and the site backs directly onto the back of people's gardens."
Last weekend around 300 to 400 people staged a protest opposing the Gorseinon locations - Parc Melyn Mynach and Heol-y-Mynydd.
Swansea council said the Welsh government has insisted all local authorities in Wales look at the needs of Gypsies and Travellers "as part of its assessment of accommodation needs".
Council leader David Phillips said: "The council wants the public to play a full part in this process and people will have until the end of March to give us their views.
"No decisions have been made about any site and none will be until after the public consultation has been completed."
Martin Saville, the council's head of public protection, said: "A number of Gypsy and Traveller families have lived in Swansea for quite some time without proper facilities for themselves and their children.
"We need to look at finding a suitable location to create a second legal site."
Connors sentences upheld in Court of Appeal - Gloucestershire
From the Gloucestershire Echo
JAIL terms for Gloucestershire Travellers convicted of forced labour charges will not be extended after the Court of Appeal rejected claims their sentences were too short.
Attorney General Dominic Grieve, the Government's principal legal adviser, had asked three London judges to increase jail terms given to William Connors, 52, his sons John Connors, 30, and James Connors, 20, and son-in-law Miles Connors, 24, who lived at a Traveller site near Staverton.
He argued their sentences were 'unduly lenient', but his case was rejected by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, Mr Justice Simon and Mr Justice Irwin.
The four men, who pleaded not guilty, were jailed after being convicted of conspiracy to compel people to carry out forced labour by a jury at Bristol Crown Court in December.
Judge Michael Longman handed William Connors a six-and-a-half year jail term, John Connors a four-year term, James Connors a three-year term in a young offenders' institution and Miles Connors, a three-year term.
Breda Connors walked free after serving her two year three month sentence awaiting trial.
The family tricked around 37 homeless men, many of whom were alcoholics, into living with them on the promise of work, money and accommodation. They then made them carry out hard labour for little or no pay.
Some of the men were found living in squalid caravans at the Beggars Roost site in Staverton.
The charges related to the period between April 5 2010 and March 23 2011, when the Connors were using a number of victims to lay patios and driveways around the country.
Mr Grieve had suggested at a hearing in February that longer sentences should have been imposed to deter others from committing similar crimes.
Lawyers representing the men disagreed and told the appeal judges that the sentences imposed were not 'unduly lenient'.
Lord Judge said that the sentence in the case of James Connors reflected his youth and 'short involvement in the conspiracy, into which he effectively grew up'.
In the case of Miles Connors, his term reflected the fact that his 'personal involvement was at a relatively less culpable level than the others, for a shorter period, and that there was genuine mitigation as he sought to prevent some of the worst manifestations of a conspiracy into which he had for all practical purposes effectively married'.
He said the court had concluded that although the sentences on William and John Connors were lenient 'neither sentence was so lenient as to require interference'.
JAIL terms for Gloucestershire Travellers convicted of forced labour charges will not be extended after the Court of Appeal rejected claims their sentences were too short.
Attorney General Dominic Grieve, the Government's principal legal adviser, had asked three London judges to increase jail terms given to William Connors, 52, his sons John Connors, 30, and James Connors, 20, and son-in-law Miles Connors, 24, who lived at a Traveller site near Staverton.
He argued their sentences were 'unduly lenient', but his case was rejected by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, Mr Justice Simon and Mr Justice Irwin.
The four men, who pleaded not guilty, were jailed after being convicted of conspiracy to compel people to carry out forced labour by a jury at Bristol Crown Court in December.
Judge Michael Longman handed William Connors a six-and-a-half year jail term, John Connors a four-year term, James Connors a three-year term in a young offenders' institution and Miles Connors, a three-year term.
Breda Connors walked free after serving her two year three month sentence awaiting trial.
The family tricked around 37 homeless men, many of whom were alcoholics, into living with them on the promise of work, money and accommodation. They then made them carry out hard labour for little or no pay.
Some of the men were found living in squalid caravans at the Beggars Roost site in Staverton.
The charges related to the period between April 5 2010 and March 23 2011, when the Connors were using a number of victims to lay patios and driveways around the country.
Mr Grieve had suggested at a hearing in February that longer sentences should have been imposed to deter others from committing similar crimes.
Lawyers representing the men disagreed and told the appeal judges that the sentences imposed were not 'unduly lenient'.
Lord Judge said that the sentence in the case of James Connors reflected his youth and 'short involvement in the conspiracy, into which he effectively grew up'.
In the case of Miles Connors, his term reflected the fact that his 'personal involvement was at a relatively less culpable level than the others, for a shorter period, and that there was genuine mitigation as he sought to prevent some of the worst manifestations of a conspiracy into which he had for all practical purposes effectively married'.
He said the court had concluded that although the sentences on William and John Connors were lenient 'neither sentence was so lenient as to require interference'.
Travellers won't go away - North Ayrshire
From the Irvine Times
TRAVELLERS keep setting up camp in different parts of a swish business park in Irvine - despite repeated attempts to oust them within the last month.
A band of caravans, which were initially parked up on Riverside Avenue in the heart of business hub i3 last week, have now moved a couple of streets away to Drummond Crescent.
The camp's short flit to another street within the town's nationally acclaimed Enterprise Area defies constant efforts to rid the business park of the caravans.
MP Brian Donohoe said: "It seems to be turning into a constant battle with these Travellers showing up regularly in the local area, knowing full well the timescale in which they can hang around before being moved on."
TRAVELLERS keep setting up camp in different parts of a swish business park in Irvine - despite repeated attempts to oust them within the last month.
A band of caravans, which were initially parked up on Riverside Avenue in the heart of business hub i3 last week, have now moved a couple of streets away to Drummond Crescent.
The camp's short flit to another street within the town's nationally acclaimed Enterprise Area defies constant efforts to rid the business park of the caravans.
MP Brian Donohoe said: "It seems to be turning into a constant battle with these Travellers showing up regularly in the local area, knowing full well the timescale in which they can hang around before being moved on."
Consultation Begins On Homesford Traveller Site Option - Derbyshire
From Derbyshire Dalses District Council
As the search continues to identify other potential Traveller sites in the Derbyshire Dales, a formal consultation begins on the Homesford option.
DDDC LogoDerbyshire Dales District Council is to hold a public meeting at 7pm on 27 March at Wirksworth Leisure Centre, to which local residents, businesses and the parish council have been invited to have their say.
Neighbouring Amber Valley Borough Council is being consulted too, and feedback is also being invited by post, via email and online to a series of questions about the woodyard site at Homesford.
Meanwhile, a formal planning application for a temporary Traveller site in Rowsley for a maximum period of nine months will be considered by the District Council on 21 March.
At the end of January, a special meeting of the District Council's Corporate Committee rejected 10 sites from a list of 11, with just the Homesford option going forward for community consultation before the formal submission of any planning application.
The woodyard was selected to be retained for further consideration on an evaluation matrix that took into account many relevant factors, including site size, ownership, availability, proximity to residential properties, vehicular access, bus routes, shops and schools, ground conditions and access to health services.
However, the District Council has stressed that the eventual creation of a Traveller site at Homesford is far from a foregone conclusion.
Dialogue is continuing with the Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group (DGLG) with a view to identifying any other potential sites in the Derbyshire Dales for evaluation for a Traveller family currently parked at Bakewell Showground.
A District Council spokesperson said:
"A thorough public consultation exercise on the Homesford site is now underway, after which this option will be reported back to the Corporate Committee before any further consideration can be given to taking this site to a further stage, which would be a formal planning application.
"While the choice of Homesford was not unanimously popular among members at the meeting in January, we must reiterate the District Council's legal obligation to identify a site for the Traveller family in question.
"Members fully understand that the legal duty to offer suitable accommodation is absolute and cannot be discharged unless a suitable offer of accommodation is made. If we chose to ignore this duty, it could result in costly legal action against the Council that would have to be borne by the Council Tax payers of the Derbyshire Dales, and the duty to find suitable accommodation would still remain."
The District Council has written to local residents asking for responses to a series of questions:
What concerns do you have about using Homesford Wood Yard as a site for a Traveller family?
How important are the following measures in turning Homesford Wood Yard into a site for a Traveller family to mitigate the impact on the community – fencing, landscaping, security measures, site management, access arrangements, point of contact?
Are there any other site specific measures you can suggest that would help reduce the impact of the Traveller site on the community?
If you know that other suitable sites for a Traveller family are available, please give details of the sites' location and the owners, confirming that the owners are willing to accommodate a Traveller family.
Please add any additional suggestions you have that would help minimise the impact of the Traveller site.
Responses can be made online, by post to Sandra Lamb, Head of Democratic Services, Town Hall, Matlock DE4 3NN or email sandra.lamb@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
As the search continues to identify other potential Traveller sites in the Derbyshire Dales, a formal consultation begins on the Homesford option.
DDDC LogoDerbyshire Dales District Council is to hold a public meeting at 7pm on 27 March at Wirksworth Leisure Centre, to which local residents, businesses and the parish council have been invited to have their say.
Neighbouring Amber Valley Borough Council is being consulted too, and feedback is also being invited by post, via email and online to a series of questions about the woodyard site at Homesford.
Meanwhile, a formal planning application for a temporary Traveller site in Rowsley for a maximum period of nine months will be considered by the District Council on 21 March.
At the end of January, a special meeting of the District Council's Corporate Committee rejected 10 sites from a list of 11, with just the Homesford option going forward for community consultation before the formal submission of any planning application.
The woodyard was selected to be retained for further consideration on an evaluation matrix that took into account many relevant factors, including site size, ownership, availability, proximity to residential properties, vehicular access, bus routes, shops and schools, ground conditions and access to health services.
However, the District Council has stressed that the eventual creation of a Traveller site at Homesford is far from a foregone conclusion.
Dialogue is continuing with the Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group (DGLG) with a view to identifying any other potential sites in the Derbyshire Dales for evaluation for a Traveller family currently parked at Bakewell Showground.
A District Council spokesperson said:
"A thorough public consultation exercise on the Homesford site is now underway, after which this option will be reported back to the Corporate Committee before any further consideration can be given to taking this site to a further stage, which would be a formal planning application.
"While the choice of Homesford was not unanimously popular among members at the meeting in January, we must reiterate the District Council's legal obligation to identify a site for the Traveller family in question.
"Members fully understand that the legal duty to offer suitable accommodation is absolute and cannot be discharged unless a suitable offer of accommodation is made. If we chose to ignore this duty, it could result in costly legal action against the Council that would have to be borne by the Council Tax payers of the Derbyshire Dales, and the duty to find suitable accommodation would still remain."
The District Council has written to local residents asking for responses to a series of questions:
What concerns do you have about using Homesford Wood Yard as a site for a Traveller family?
How important are the following measures in turning Homesford Wood Yard into a site for a Traveller family to mitigate the impact on the community – fencing, landscaping, security measures, site management, access arrangements, point of contact?
Are there any other site specific measures you can suggest that would help reduce the impact of the Traveller site on the community?
If you know that other suitable sites for a Traveller family are available, please give details of the sites' location and the owners, confirming that the owners are willing to accommodate a Traveller family.
Please add any additional suggestions you have that would help minimise the impact of the Traveller site.
Responses can be made online, by post to Sandra Lamb, Head of Democratic Services, Town Hall, Matlock DE4 3NN or email sandra.lamb@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
Travellers Pitch Up In Dorchester - Dorset
From Wessex FM
Travellers have pitched up in Dorchester.
They're staying on an area of land near Came View Road.
They've told the Police they'll be staying for a short while to offer gardening and tree cutting services.
see also: The Dorset Echo - Travellers camp in Dorchester
Travellers have pitched up in Dorchester.
They're staying on an area of land near Came View Road.
They've told the Police they'll be staying for a short while to offer gardening and tree cutting services.
see also: The Dorset Echo - Travellers camp in Dorchester
Committee demands Ministerial leadership on Gypsy/Travellers - Scotland
From the Scottish Parliament
Ministerial leadership and a national public awareness campaign to deter discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers have been demanded by the Equal Opportunities Committee in its report published today.
The Where Gypsy/Travellers Live inquiry highlights the sheer frustration felt by both the community and the Committee that the same issues and recommendations raised by the Committee’s predecessor in 2001 remain unresolved.
Convener of the Equal Opportunities Committee Mary Fee MSP said:
“Having seen for ourselves the appalling conditions Gypsy/Travellers are expected to live in, despite paying their rent and council tax, it is patently clear to us the time has come for the Scottish Government, COSLA and local authorities to take matters in hand.
“A national strategy to support local authorities on housing strategies for Gypsy/Travellers and a national awareness campaign to ensure there is a zero-tolerance on discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers must be initiated and led by the Scottish Government.
“Twelve years after the first report on Gypsy/Travellers was published we want to ensure action is taken this time around by the Scottish Government, COSLA and local authorities.”
The Equal Opportunities Committee believes that addressing discrimination at a national and community level is the only way to break down the persistent barriers to site development and help Gypsy/Travellers get the full access to healthcare, education and employment that they desperately require.
The Committee will review responses from the Scottish Government and COSLA to both this report and the Gypsy/Travellers and Care report before July 2013.
Background
In 2012 the Equal Opportunities Committee decided to follow-up on the work of previous committees on improving the lives of Gypsy/Travelling people in Scotland. The first inquiry Gypsy/Travellers and Care was published in September 2012 and revealed that the community had disproportionately poor health outcomes. The current inquiry Where Gypsy/Travellers Live was launched in March 2012 and the Committee visited sites in Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Perth, Pitlochry, Oban and Lochgilphead to see the dire conditions for themselves. The Committee also held an external meeting at Clinterty Travelling Persons’ Site, near Aberdeen in February 2013.
see also: The Press and Journal- ‘Fight abuse against Travellers’
The BBC - Gypsy-Travellers live in horrendous' conditions, MSPs say
The Herald - Call to protect Travellers from discrimination
The Evening Times - MSPs call for a campaign for Travellers
Holyrood - Minister should take responsibility for Gypsy/Travellers
STV - Gypsy-Travellers living in 'appalling' conditions finds report
Equal and Diverse - Scottish MSPs Present Critical Report
The Morning Star - 'Appalling' state of Traveller sites sparks public campaign call
Third Force News - Gypsy Travellers still living in “horrendous” conditions
Ministerial leadership and a national public awareness campaign to deter discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers have been demanded by the Equal Opportunities Committee in its report published today.
The Where Gypsy/Travellers Live inquiry highlights the sheer frustration felt by both the community and the Committee that the same issues and recommendations raised by the Committee’s predecessor in 2001 remain unresolved.
Convener of the Equal Opportunities Committee Mary Fee MSP said:
“Having seen for ourselves the appalling conditions Gypsy/Travellers are expected to live in, despite paying their rent and council tax, it is patently clear to us the time has come for the Scottish Government, COSLA and local authorities to take matters in hand.
“A national strategy to support local authorities on housing strategies for Gypsy/Travellers and a national awareness campaign to ensure there is a zero-tolerance on discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers must be initiated and led by the Scottish Government.
“Twelve years after the first report on Gypsy/Travellers was published we want to ensure action is taken this time around by the Scottish Government, COSLA and local authorities.”
The Equal Opportunities Committee believes that addressing discrimination at a national and community level is the only way to break down the persistent barriers to site development and help Gypsy/Travellers get the full access to healthcare, education and employment that they desperately require.
The Committee will review responses from the Scottish Government and COSLA to both this report and the Gypsy/Travellers and Care report before July 2013.
Background
In 2012 the Equal Opportunities Committee decided to follow-up on the work of previous committees on improving the lives of Gypsy/Travelling people in Scotland. The first inquiry Gypsy/Travellers and Care was published in September 2012 and revealed that the community had disproportionately poor health outcomes. The current inquiry Where Gypsy/Travellers Live was launched in March 2012 and the Committee visited sites in Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Perth, Pitlochry, Oban and Lochgilphead to see the dire conditions for themselves. The Committee also held an external meeting at Clinterty Travelling Persons’ Site, near Aberdeen in February 2013.
see also: The Press and Journal- ‘Fight abuse against Travellers’
The BBC - Gypsy-Travellers live in horrendous' conditions, MSPs say
The Herald - Call to protect Travellers from discrimination
The Evening Times - MSPs call for a campaign for Travellers
Holyrood - Minister should take responsibility for Gypsy/Travellers
STV - Gypsy-Travellers living in 'appalling' conditions finds report
Equal and Diverse - Scottish MSPs Present Critical Report
The Morning Star - 'Appalling' state of Traveller sites sparks public campaign call
Third Force News - Gypsy Travellers still living in “horrendous” conditions
Monday, 25 March 2013
Meriden Gypsies launch last minute legal bid to avoid eviction - West Midlands
From the Birmingham Mail
A group of Gypsies who must leave their illegal Solihull development by Sunday or face prosecution have launched an eleventh hour legal bid to stay.
In a surprise move, the travellers, led by Noah Burton, lodged two new applications at Birmingham’s High Court, to remain at the site off Eaves Green Lane in Meriden.
A Solihull Council spokesman said it: “will forcefully put its case at the High Court hearing that the injunction should stand, unvaried and that the Gypsy families have until this coming March 31 to vacate Eaves Green site or may be in contempt of the High Court.”
The group have a further month to restore the field, which they have been on for three years, back to green belt status, after hammering out a deal with the council and the High Court last year.
Doug Bacon, from local campaign group, Residents Against Inappropriate Development, said: “Having exhausted all avenues of appeal, it is typical of Dale Farm style tactics that this application has been submitted at the last possible moment in order to try to string the process out further at more cost to the tax payer and the integrity of the planning process.
“Meriden Residents expect Solihull Council to strongly resist these applications and ensure that the developers stick to the date which they voluntarily agreed to.
“It is time to put an end to these delaying tactics
A group of Gypsies who must leave their illegal Solihull development by Sunday or face prosecution have launched an eleventh hour legal bid to stay.
In a surprise move, the travellers, led by Noah Burton, lodged two new applications at Birmingham’s High Court, to remain at the site off Eaves Green Lane in Meriden.
A Solihull Council spokesman said it: “will forcefully put its case at the High Court hearing that the injunction should stand, unvaried and that the Gypsy families have until this coming March 31 to vacate Eaves Green site or may be in contempt of the High Court.”
The group have a further month to restore the field, which they have been on for three years, back to green belt status, after hammering out a deal with the council and the High Court last year.
Doug Bacon, from local campaign group, Residents Against Inappropriate Development, said: “Having exhausted all avenues of appeal, it is typical of Dale Farm style tactics that this application has been submitted at the last possible moment in order to try to string the process out further at more cost to the tax payer and the integrity of the planning process.
“Meriden Residents expect Solihull Council to strongly resist these applications and ensure that the developers stick to the date which they voluntarily agreed to.
“It is time to put an end to these delaying tactics
Sunday, 24 March 2013
Preferred Gypsy site shortlist confirmed - Sussex
From the Rye and Battle Observer
ROTHER Council’s Cabinet Committee this week confirmed a final shortlist of preferred Gypsy sites, including two in Battle.
Sites at Beeches Brook, Battle, Greenacres Farm, Battle and Telegraph Point, Coldharbour Farm, Brightling, are to be taken forward to meet needs for Travellers’ pitches up to and beyond 2016.
This follows site visits on January 18 and February 6.
A fourth site recommended for approval - at Cherry Tree Nursery, Flimwell - has been removed pending further investigation.
This could include a visit from the council’s enforcement team to gauge the effect removal of existing polytunnels might have, as these helped to ‘disguise’ a caravan already on the site.
Principal planning officer David Marlow told Rother’s Cabinet on Monday that, as of next month, the authority must maintain a five year supply of suitable sites.
Failure to do so would “carry great weight” with a planning inspector in any subsequent enquiry. He added: “This is a very difficult situation. There are no easy choices.”
Council leader Carl Maynard acknowledged public concerns expressed in a host of e-mails.
Cllr Mary Barnes, whose ward includes Flimwell, said the proposed site there was “just not in the right place” and the prospect of it becoming a permanent Travellers’ site had “caused a tremendous amount of anguish and disquiet to local people.”
A report to Cabinet said in considering the various options, members of the scrutiny committee felt they had been “stuck between a rock and a hard place”. With no easy options, it considered those on the shortlist were the “reasonable” options.
Cllr Angharad Davies felt inclusion of Beeches Brook could set a precedent.
Sites not visited included Actons Farm in Buckholt Lane, Bexhill, and part of a major allocation in north and/or west Bexhill. Cabinet resolved that further consideration be given to the latter Bexhill option to meet the plan period requirement for 2028.
ROTHER Council’s Cabinet Committee this week confirmed a final shortlist of preferred Gypsy sites, including two in Battle.
Sites at Beeches Brook, Battle, Greenacres Farm, Battle and Telegraph Point, Coldharbour Farm, Brightling, are to be taken forward to meet needs for Travellers’ pitches up to and beyond 2016.
This follows site visits on January 18 and February 6.
A fourth site recommended for approval - at Cherry Tree Nursery, Flimwell - has been removed pending further investigation.
This could include a visit from the council’s enforcement team to gauge the effect removal of existing polytunnels might have, as these helped to ‘disguise’ a caravan already on the site.
Principal planning officer David Marlow told Rother’s Cabinet on Monday that, as of next month, the authority must maintain a five year supply of suitable sites.
Failure to do so would “carry great weight” with a planning inspector in any subsequent enquiry. He added: “This is a very difficult situation. There are no easy choices.”
Council leader Carl Maynard acknowledged public concerns expressed in a host of e-mails.
Cllr Mary Barnes, whose ward includes Flimwell, said the proposed site there was “just not in the right place” and the prospect of it becoming a permanent Travellers’ site had “caused a tremendous amount of anguish and disquiet to local people.”
A report to Cabinet said in considering the various options, members of the scrutiny committee felt they had been “stuck between a rock and a hard place”. With no easy options, it considered those on the shortlist were the “reasonable” options.
Cllr Angharad Davies felt inclusion of Beeches Brook could set a precedent.
Sites not visited included Actons Farm in Buckholt Lane, Bexhill, and part of a major allocation in north and/or west Bexhill. Cabinet resolved that further consideration be given to the latter Bexhill option to meet the plan period requirement for 2028.
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Firms engage lawyers over Traveller site - Glamorgan
From the South Wales Evening Post
BUSINESSES operating close to a site which could become home to Gypsy Travellers in Swansea have engaged solicitors to act on their behalf.
Members of the Swansea West Business Park Forum have hired JCP Solicitors to speak on their behalf in addressing the local authority on the issue.
Swansea is already home to one authorised site in Llansamlet but this is now oversubscribed.
Swansea Council launched a three-month consultation with people living and working close to five potential sites which could become a second location for Gypsy Travellers.
The consultation has already generated more than 1,000 responses and comes to an end at the end of next week.
The Swansea West Business Park Forum represents around 200 businesses employing more than 2,000 people. The group is fighting against the use of a former greyhound track close to the business park and held a meeting at the city's Marriott Hotel to discuss its plan of action.
As a result of this a letter has now been drafted to be sent to Swansea Council by JCP Solicitors on behalf of the forum. Sarah Davies, a partner at JCP Solicitors, said: "I can confirm that JCP Solicitors have been instructed to represent the Swansea West Business Park Forum in their objection to the former greyhound stadium in Fforestfach being considered for use as a second gypsy and Traveller site for Swansea.
Opposition
"We will be preparing formal submissions of objection to the proposal on behalf of the Forum which will be submitted to the council in accordance with the consultation process."
Alan Brayley, who runs AB Glass, one of the member firms in the forum, said: "We are the only opposition for the five sites taking a legal stance."
Swansea Council has now set up a dedicated website for the consultation.
BUSINESSES operating close to a site which could become home to Gypsy Travellers in Swansea have engaged solicitors to act on their behalf.
Members of the Swansea West Business Park Forum have hired JCP Solicitors to speak on their behalf in addressing the local authority on the issue.
Swansea is already home to one authorised site in Llansamlet but this is now oversubscribed.
Swansea Council launched a three-month consultation with people living and working close to five potential sites which could become a second location for Gypsy Travellers.
The consultation has already generated more than 1,000 responses and comes to an end at the end of next week.
The Swansea West Business Park Forum represents around 200 businesses employing more than 2,000 people. The group is fighting against the use of a former greyhound track close to the business park and held a meeting at the city's Marriott Hotel to discuss its plan of action.
As a result of this a letter has now been drafted to be sent to Swansea Council by JCP Solicitors on behalf of the forum. Sarah Davies, a partner at JCP Solicitors, said: "I can confirm that JCP Solicitors have been instructed to represent the Swansea West Business Park Forum in their objection to the former greyhound stadium in Fforestfach being considered for use as a second gypsy and Traveller site for Swansea.
Opposition
"We will be preparing formal submissions of objection to the proposal on behalf of the Forum which will be submitted to the council in accordance with the consultation process."
Alan Brayley, who runs AB Glass, one of the member firms in the forum, said: "We are the only opposition for the five sites taking a legal stance."
Swansea Council has now set up a dedicated website for the consultation.
Dale Farm: Travellers get £4.3m eviction bill from Basildon Council - Essex
From the BBC
Travellers have been billed for £4.3m for the cost of evicting about 80 families from the Dale Farm site in Essex in 2011.
Basildon Council bailiffs, supported by police, cleared the illegally occupied land near Basildon.
The council had always maintained it would seek to recoup the multi-million costs from the Travellers at Dale Farm.
The council said if travellers did not pay, it might seek to seize Dale Farm land.
Council leader Tony Ball said: "It has taken some time, but it is an extremely complex and time-consuming process and I am pleased that it has now been done."
see also: Inside Housing - Dale Farm Travellers billed £4.5m
Travellers have been billed for £4.3m for the cost of evicting about 80 families from the Dale Farm site in Essex in 2011.
Basildon Council bailiffs, supported by police, cleared the illegally occupied land near Basildon.
The council had always maintained it would seek to recoup the multi-million costs from the Travellers at Dale Farm.
The council said if travellers did not pay, it might seek to seize Dale Farm land.
Council leader Tony Ball said: "It has taken some time, but it is an extremely complex and time-consuming process and I am pleased that it has now been done."
see also: Inside Housing - Dale Farm Travellers billed £4.5m
Solihull Council continues Gypsy site provision process - Warwickshire
From Solihull News
PLANS to allocate Gypsy and Traveller sites in the borough have been given the thumbs up by Solihull councillors
At a Cabinet members agreed to press on with the draft proposals ahead of consultation.
Councillor Bob Sleigh (Con, Bickenhill) said: “Many of the sites have been there for many, many years and never had a problem.
“This is a land use strategy not a planning application.
“We have taken a very clear view of potential conflicts.”
But Trevor Eames, from Solihull Ratepayers' Association, questioned why one of the sites, The Uplands, in Dickens Heath, was still to be included following local opposition.
“We emphasised the controversial planning history of the site and warned that its designation for three pitches would open a door to future incremental expansion that the planning process as applied to Gypsy and Traveller sites would find difficult, if not impossible, to control,” he said.
“We feel the council has not paid due regard to the very legitimate concern over the future impact this application would have on the local environment and character of the area in what is a greenbelt location.
“Enforcement actions going back years are still pending over the Uplands site.....and it is estimated that the grant of consent for each Gypsy pitch increases its value by £100,000.”.
However Councillor Ian Hedley, leader of the Lib Dems, said: "The aim is that, with official sites there won’t be any unauthorised ones"
The four sites going forward to the next stage of the process are: Old Damson Lane (11 pitches) The Warren, Bickenhill Lane (five pitches) The Uplands, Dickens Heath (four pitches) and The Haven
PLANS to allocate Gypsy and Traveller sites in the borough have been given the thumbs up by Solihull councillors
At a Cabinet members agreed to press on with the draft proposals ahead of consultation.
Councillor Bob Sleigh (Con, Bickenhill) said: “Many of the sites have been there for many, many years and never had a problem.
“This is a land use strategy not a planning application.
“We have taken a very clear view of potential conflicts.”
But Trevor Eames, from Solihull Ratepayers' Association, questioned why one of the sites, The Uplands, in Dickens Heath, was still to be included following local opposition.
“We emphasised the controversial planning history of the site and warned that its designation for three pitches would open a door to future incremental expansion that the planning process as applied to Gypsy and Traveller sites would find difficult, if not impossible, to control,” he said.
“We feel the council has not paid due regard to the very legitimate concern over the future impact this application would have on the local environment and character of the area in what is a greenbelt location.
“Enforcement actions going back years are still pending over the Uplands site.....and it is estimated that the grant of consent for each Gypsy pitch increases its value by £100,000.”.
However Councillor Ian Hedley, leader of the Lib Dems, said: "The aim is that, with official sites there won’t be any unauthorised ones"
The four sites going forward to the next stage of the process are: Old Damson Lane (11 pitches) The Warren, Bickenhill Lane (five pitches) The Uplands, Dickens Heath (four pitches) and The Haven
Matlock Bath: Gypsy eviction postponed - Derbyshire
From the Matlock Mercury
A family of Travellers illegally parked in Matlock Bath will not be evicted today, as planned, owing to the snow.
Derbyshire Dales District Council had served an eviction notice on the family to vacate the Coach Park at Matlock Bath Station earlier this week.
But a district council spokesperson said “it would not be appropriate” to force the family – who are soon to be offered a temporary Traveller site at Old Station Close, Rowsley – to vacate the area in such bad weather conditions.
The family will now have until Tuesday to leave the site.
A family of Travellers illegally parked in Matlock Bath will not be evicted today, as planned, owing to the snow.
Derbyshire Dales District Council had served an eviction notice on the family to vacate the Coach Park at Matlock Bath Station earlier this week.
But a district council spokesperson said “it would not be appropriate” to force the family – who are soon to be offered a temporary Traveller site at Old Station Close, Rowsley – to vacate the area in such bad weather conditions.
The family will now have until Tuesday to leave the site.
Derbyshire Dales: Gypsy site approved in Rowsley
From the Derbyshire Times
Members of Derbyshire Dales District Council have approved plans for a Gypsy site at Old Station Close car park in Rowsley for a period of nine months.
Following last night’s planning committee decision to approve – by a vote of nine to seven – the authority must now make an official offer to the Traveller family in question as to whether they actually want to move there.
If they accept, surfacing work will start straight away and the district council will instruct Severn-Trent Water to connect a water supply to the site.
A Derbyshire Dales District Council spokesperson said: “The timescale of their work is out of our hands, but we will be requesting that action is taken as soon as possible. The nine months’ time limit is activated from the day the Travellers move onto the Rowsley site.”
If the Travellers decide they do not want the site, the matter will go to County Court to see if the offer made by the authority was a reasonable one.
The district council spokesperson added: “While we understand some of the concerns expressed by local residents who live in the vicinity of the approved temporary site and potential permanent sites, we must reiterate our absolute legal duty to provide accommodation for the Traveller family.”
Members of Derbyshire Dales District Council have approved plans for a Gypsy site at Old Station Close car park in Rowsley for a period of nine months.
Following last night’s planning committee decision to approve – by a vote of nine to seven – the authority must now make an official offer to the Traveller family in question as to whether they actually want to move there.
If they accept, surfacing work will start straight away and the district council will instruct Severn-Trent Water to connect a water supply to the site.
A Derbyshire Dales District Council spokesperson said: “The timescale of their work is out of our hands, but we will be requesting that action is taken as soon as possible. The nine months’ time limit is activated from the day the Travellers move onto the Rowsley site.”
If the Travellers decide they do not want the site, the matter will go to County Court to see if the offer made by the authority was a reasonable one.
The district council spokesperson added: “While we understand some of the concerns expressed by local residents who live in the vicinity of the approved temporary site and potential permanent sites, we must reiterate our absolute legal duty to provide accommodation for the Traveller family.”
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