Five areas now in the running for permanent gypsy site in the Dales - Derbyshire

From the Derby Telegraph

A SEARCH for land suitable for a permanent Travellers' site has been narrowed down to five areas.

The woodyard at Homesford, near Matlock, is currently the front-runner – with councillors due to meet this week to consider making a bid for the land.

If that option falls through, sites in Bolehill, Turnditch and Hulland Ward – all within seven miles of Wirksworth – will be explored, as will a grassed area in Bakewell.

The back-up sites were announced yesterday by Derbyshire Dales District Council after 10 other possible locations were ruled out earlier this year.

The authority currently has a legal obligation to find a site for a gypsy family that moved on to Bakewell Showground, sparking wide-spread anger.

At a meeting on Thursday, the council's corporate committee will consider making a planning application for the Homesford site.

If they then decide to make an application, negotiations with the landowner over the sale of the land will begin.

Councillors on the committee will also decide which of the four back-up options – put forward by officers – are the most suitable.

A number of factors will be taken into account – including size, ownership, availability, proximity to homes, access and ground conditions.

The chosen site must also be close to a bus route so travelling families can have access to shops and schools.

The Bolehill site comprises two grassed areas alongside the B5036 road next to the remote Black Rocks car park, while the Turnditch site is an undulating paddock half a mile outside the village.

The land at Hulland Ward is part of the garden of Highfield House and has a high valuation of £495,000.

Meanwhile, the Bakewell site comprises two paddocks north of Stanedge Road.

A council spokesman said the authority had carried out a "detailed" consultation to ensure the most appropriate site is chosen.

He added: "The council has a legal duty to offer suitable accommodation to the Traveller family and has to make a suitable offer.

"Ignoring this duty could result in costly legal action that would have to be borne by Derbyshire Dales taxpayers – and the duty would still remain."