Roborough resident attacks Gypsy and Traveller site plans - Devon

From the Plymouth Herald

PLANS to build a Gypsy and Traveller site on the outskirts of Plymouth are dangerous and will damage businesses, claims a former councillor.

Nicky Barnes, who served on South Hams District Council and lives in Roborough Village, attacked the proposal by Plymouth City Council.

Plymouth wants to put in a 16-pitch transit Gypsy and Traveller site at Broadley Park, in Bickleigh.

The land, part of Broadley Park industrial estate, is owned by Plymouth City Council but is in the South Hams.

South Hams planning committee members decided at their meeting last Wednesday to hold a site visit before making a decision.

They will visit Broadley Park on Monday.

Ms Barnes said: "There have been a lot of objections. The site is in an area that has no transport links, no amenities and no schools. It is off the beaten track and the end of an industrial estate.

"There is a constant stream of articulated lorries going up and down the road. It is going to be dangerous.

"The South Hams economic development officer has put in an objection because it is employment land.

"Local businesses are going to be badly affected."

Plymouth City Council held public consultations on the proposals last autumn.

Cllr Chris Penberthy, the city's Cabinet member for co-operatives and community development, told The Herald at the time that unauthorised encampments were affecting more and more neighbourhoods and the council could not ignore the problems they cause.

"A transit site would mean we expect to see a reduction in the number of unauthorised encampments and we hope to ease community tension."

The new site will help to prevent unauthorised encampments, the local authority said.