DERBYSHIRE DALES: Traveller family demand independent review

From the Derbyshire Times

A Gypsy family have demanded an independent review of a Rowsley Traveller site to assess whether it would be a suitable place for them to live.

Last month, Derbyshire Dales District Council offered the Gastram family a temporary Traveller site in Old Station Close car park, Rowsley, for a period of nine months. This was to tide the family over until a permanent site is found by the authority – who have a legal duty to find the family a home.

However, the Rowsley site offer has been met with fierce opposition from local residents and business owners.

The Derbyshire Gypsy Liason Group have also branded the site as unsuitable and a “waste of money”.

A spokesman for Derbyshire Dales District Council said: “The Travellers have a statutory right to challenge our offer of a temporary site and have requested a review of the suitability of the site at Rowsley. An independent assessment will now be undertaken, the outcome of which is likely within four weeks.”