Councillor critical of Gypsy decision - Bedfordshire

From Bedford Today

It has been branded a ‘disingenuous’ decision process by a Central Beds committee to determine a shortlist for Gypsy and Traveller sites.

The claim comes after Councillor Mark Smith, for Maulden, Ampthill and Clophill, criticised how the seven sites were recommended at a packed-out meeting last week.

Mr Smith, who was delighted Maulden’s proposed 60-acre site on New Road was turned down, said: “I was pleased my own area was not chosen, but I felt that the decision had been preconceived.

“It was an overview and scrutiny meeting, but you have to ask yourself where the scrutiny was. It seems to be a bit disingenuous to me.

In response, Councillor Nigel Young said: “Committee members and the local ward councillors will all have had their own thoughts on which sites were suitable and they listened carefully to all the views raised from the floor at the meeting. No site was agreed before the meeting and the sites that were recommended to executive were done so after around six hours of listening and debating.”

Four pitches on land east of M1, Tingrith and five pitches plus authorisation of existing pitches on Barton Road, Pulloxhill were recommended.