Resolution reached on Haldon Gypsy and Traveller site - Devon

From the Exeter Daily

Teignbridge District Council has reaffirmed its commitment towards creating a safe, sustainable and authorised Gypsy and Traveller site at Haldon Ridge.

The Executive confirmed a funding agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will be signed in order to draw down the £1.12 million in funding that will pay for a 15-pitch permanent site next to the unauthorised but tolerated facility.

The Executive’s meeting in Forde House, Newton Abbot considered matters that would resolve and safeguard against any potential financial and funding risks posed to Teignbridge as a result of the plan.

Consideration of the risks was needed to ensure the proposed plan for an authorised site, which would be managed by Teign Housing, was able to proceed without any future burden falling to the taxpayer.

The first related to the HCA’s funding agreement and whether Teignbridge would be required to ‘pay back’ the total amount if, in future years, the site should cease. The second concerned any annual management costs – estimated to be in the region of £40,000 - which could fall to Teignbridge District Council if the site ever became unviable.

The Executive was told Devon County Council agreed to underwrite the management costs and the HCA has provided assurances around any payback of the £1.12m funding in the event the site is under-occupied.

Teignbridge, the HCA, Teign Housing and Devon County Council, as landowner of the current site, will now meet to discuss any outstanding details and look at how the scheme moves forward. Construction work is likely to start when further survey work on protected bird species has been completed this summer.

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Planning, said: “We’ve always been very upfront about the fact this project was going to be a challenge. We’d like to thank all partners involved for their support and co-operation.

“We had to look carefully at any potential implications because, quite rightly, we needed to protect our financial position so it did not impact negatively on us or our residents in the future. Now this has been resolved we can get on with providing a suitable site with all our partners.

“Lots of positive work has already come from this - we’ve helped several families who wanted a permanent home – and we hope to carry on doing what we can for those who want our help. Because the site has quite a transient population there may be some who do not wish to engage and do not want what we have offered or are offering. That is their choice.

“My hope is that we will keep working with the community at the Haldon site so they can talk to us and we can talk to them in an open and honest way. We will also keep neighbouring communities, parish councils, and all the other relevant statutory organisations, as up to date as possible. Personally I would like to thank Teignbridge Executive members and officers, Teign Housing, Devon County Council and the HCA. Everyone has worked very hard on this project. Teignbridge’s Gypsy and Traveller Forum has also played an important part in making this happen.”

Stephen Purser, Chairman of the Board of Teign Housing said: “Our priority has always been to provide a sensible solution to the unauthorised Traveller site. We are glad that we can continue to develop the site with the necessary financial assurances in place.”

Colin Molton, HCA Executive Director for the South and South West, said: “We fully support the council’s plans to deliver a permanent scheme for Travellers at Haldon. This is why we’ve agreed to invest in the creation of 15 new homes for Travellers on this site. We welcome the fact that an agreement has been reached, and we will meet the council to discuss this project in more detail so that a scheme can be delivered which meets the needs of local people and delivers value for money.”

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Unauthorised encampments such as Haldon will continue to be an issue while there is no network of official sites across Devon, so I am pleased that Teignbridge District Council is committed to creating a safe, sustainable and authorised Gypsy and Traveller site at Haldon Ridge.”