Traveller site for Ellesmere Port shows little respect for Gypsy community, councillor says - Cheshire

From the Ellesmere Port Observer

A CONTROVERSIAL Gypsy and Traveller site on Rossfield Road, agreed by councillors at a meeting in Ellesmere Port last Thursday, shows little respect for their culture according to Netherpool councillor Diane Roberts (Lab).

She also argues it will be within a few hundred yards of the spot where 15-year-old Irish Traveller Johnny Delaney died in 2003 and would be an insult to his memory.

The detailed plans, put forward by Cheshire West and Chester Council in a bid to provide sufficient pitches across the borough to avoid appeals and unauthorised encampments, were recommended for permission.

The 12 pitches and facilities, which had outline approval on part of the council depot last year, are said to be of ‘strategic significance’.

More than 660 neighbours were consulted and 26 representations were put in raising a range of issues.

There are fears the site will lead to increased crime, anti-social behaviour and unrest and it will be detrimental to the Rossfield Industrial Estate and detract from regeneration.

Other objections refer to the lack of school places, noise and disturbance and the unsuitability of the site for any residential purposes as it is in an industrial and commercial area.

It is claimed the viability of nearby businesses will be ‘destroyed’.

Cllr Roberts said the Labour group on the borough council agreed there was a need to provide accommodation but the pitches had to be suitable.

“The first is the real aspect of the danger from HGVs on the industrial estate,” she suggested, arguing ‘the report has no qualms about placing Gypsy and Traveller children in a situation of great danger within the confines of an industrious estate’.

She asked if the council ‘will feel responsible if an accident occurs and a child is crushed’.

The proposal also showed ‘little respect’ for the culture of Gypsies and Travellers although this was promoted in the borough’s schools.

Cllr Alan McKie (Con) suggested sites in nearby wards were on industrial estates and were ‘well controlled’.

Approval was moved by Cllr Mark Williams (Con) and seconded by former Ellesmere Port and Neston borough councillor Keith Butcher (Lab).