Locations for permanent Gypsy sites in Warwick district to be announced - Warwickshire

From the Coventry Telegraph

Potential locations for permanent Gypsy sites in Warwick district will be unveiled next week.

The district council says it is required by law to find 31 permanent Traveller pitches over the next 15 years.

It is likely the pitches will be spread across up to six sites.

Warwick district covers areas including Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth, and even Baginton near Coventry.

Potential sites will be discussed at a planning meeting on Tuesday, June 4, before the issue goes out to public consultation.

The district is the only authority in Warwickshire without any official Traveller sites.

In 2011 Travellers were kicked off an illegal site in Beausale, near Kenilworth.

Coun Les Caborn (Con, Lapworth) said providing official sites would help “ease tensions” between residents and Travellers.

“It is vital that we provide for the housing needs of everyone, including for Gypsies and Travellers,” he said.

“We know this is an emotive issue, but it is something we must address. I believe the site options put forward provide a good range of possibilities.

“Like all councillors, I am interested to hear what people from across all our communities think of these options so that we can plan to meet the needs of Gypsies and Travellers”.

He added: “I am a firm believer that by providing these sites we can minimise the tensions across all our communities.

“By having identified sites we will be able to deal more effectively and quickly with illegal sites and encampments which is a current community concern.”

Other long-term issues to be discussed at the meeting include where to build more than 6,600 homes and the allocation of 22.5 hectares of land for employment use.

Coun Caborn said: “I believe these proposals set out an approach which will enable the district to continue to grow and thrive, at the same time as protecting and enhancing many of the things that make Warwick District a great place.

* For full details visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk

see also: ITV - Potential Travellers' sites for Warwick to be chosen