MP Julian Sturdy attacks plans to expand Osbaldwick Traveller site - Yorkshire

From the Press

AN MP has attacked plans to expand a York Travellers’ site, which he claims has been poorly managed by City of York for a number of years.

York Outer Tory MP Julian Sturdy claimed that because the authority had failed to control the Osbaldwick site, it had become a “terrible burden” for nearby residents, with piles of litter strewn across it and regular complaints from local residents about antisocial behaviour.

The council, which intends to increase the number of pitches from 12 to 18 as well as create a children’s play area and grazing area for horses, has been awarded almost £350,000 by the Homes and Communities Agency towards the £628,000 cost of the project.

But Mr Sturdy said in a letter to Housing Minister Mark Prisk: “There is a great deal of concern within my constituency that this grant from the HCA will only serve to exacerbate an already burdensome social issue.”

The MP added that he had previously requested a management plan for the site but the council had failed to produce one.

Brandon Lewis, Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government, replied, saying the HCA’s area team would raise the MP’s concerns at a meeting with the council. He said: “I do not intend to see Traveller Pitch Funding going to sites that are being poorly managed.”

Tom Brittain, York’s head of housing, said the management of York’s three gipsy and Traveller sites was discussed with the HCA earlier this week. “Each gipsy and Traveller site, including Osbaldwick, is visited by a support worker for an average two days per week to deal with matters relating to education, health, use of skips – with which the community itself is involved in arranging – as well as enforcing rents and compliance with licences,” he said.

“Julian Sturdy has been sent a licence agreement and a management guide which are used by the support workers who work not only with Travellers as part of a wider team, but with a range of other communities in York.”