MP backs campaigners opposed to Gypsy site near Leamington - Warwickshire

From the Courier

Hundreds of villagers who have voiced their opposition to a proposal for a Gypsy and Traveller site in Radford Semele now have the support of their Conservative MP.

And even the leader of Warwick District Council - which is under pressure to find 31 such sites across the district - agreed that the land off the Fosse Way, currently occupied by the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, is not suitable.

Campaigners against the proposal estimate that around 400 people attended a meeting at the centre on Tuesday - including Jeremy Wright MP, whose Kenilworth and Southam constituency covers Radford Semele, and council leader Cllr Michael Doody.

The proposal details plans to build 15 pitches for 30 caravans and service buildings and play and work areas on the land.

But Rowland Johnson, speaking for the campaigners, presented at the meeting a study commissioned by the centre owners which concluded that the closure of the centre will lead to a significant impact on the district’s economy.

Pointing out that the centre attracts around 40,000 people every year, Mr Johnson said that the study showed that the site would not be able to provide the amenities that a settled community would require.

He said: “The research undertaken into the suitability of this particular site is fundamentally flawed. For example the report suggests access to a doctor’s surgery is available 1.5 miles away.

“The nearest GP is actually three miles from this site and this surgery can’t accommodate the influx of new patients. The nearest available GP is actually nearly five miles away.”

He also said that any children living there would be at risk living so close to a busy road and there is inadequate lighting for pedestrians and he expressed concern about the close proximity of the site to historic woodland and ponds which are home to badgers, rare bats, deer and protected reptiles.

Speaking on Wednesday, Jeremy Wright - who said he planned to write to the council to express his opposition to the proposals, said: “It’s unavoidable that the council has to find sites for Gypsies and Travellers so that illegal encampments can be better resisted, but I have to say that this particular site is not the right one.

“The case was set out very efficiently last night.

“There are 20 sites up for consideration. They all have different pros and cons and have to be looked at individually. The case for this one does not stack up.

“There is a very serious lack of amenities for people who might be coming to live on that site.”

At the meeting, Cllr Doody also said the land identified was not suitable, but the council had an obligation to identify suitable sites.

The council is currently considering 20 possible site for Gypsy and Traveller pitches across the district. A public consultation is running until July 29. For details, visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk or call 410410.