Residents fight plans for temporary Gypsy site near Southam - Warwickshire

From the Stratford Observer

RESIDENTS in Southam have hit out at plans to set up a temporary Gypsy site on the town's doorstep.

Planning chiefs at Warwickshire County Council have applied for a change of use on land adjacent to the A425 Daventry Road - less than half a mile from the town.

If given the go-ahead, the land - which is currently used to house a chipping store - would be transformed into an emergency stopping place for up to 12 caravans.

Emergency stopping places are areas provided with water and toilets where Gypsies and Travellers are permitted to stay for up to a month.

After similar sites were set up in Cheshire, Bristol and Durham there was a significant reduction in illegal encampments, but Southam residents are up in arms and have already begun registering their objections.

One resident said: "If my understanding is correct, the reason for this application is to ensure Warwickshire has a site to move Travellers who are illegally camped elsewhere in the county.

"It is plainly obvious if illegally camped Travellers are sent to this 'emergency site' they will not wish to move on so the problem for the county council then becomes Southam's problem.

"To place such an encampment close to existing residential areas is farcical and the concern is that if this 'emergency site' is given consent this would be the first step to a permanent site."

Other residents believe placing the site just off a busy 60mph stretch of road could lead to more accidents and fear it would cause an increase in crime, anti-social behaviour and sanitation issues in the area.

But Rob Leahy from the council's Gypsy and Traveller team this week denied the claims.

He told The Observer: "2013 has already seen a record number of encampments in the county and it is essential we take steps to manage the situation.

"The site near Southam only requires water, gates to prevent ingress, and landscaping to bring it into use as a potential stopping place.

"It is inevitable and understandable that concern will be voiced wherever such provision is made. However, by comparing experiences in other counties, it is clear stopping places support both the settled and travelling community more effectively than leaving the situation unmanaged."

He added a bond would be required from Travellers prior to access being granted to the site.

Residents can comment on the proposal at a town council meeting on Thursday September 26 from 7.30pm at Grange Hall. The county's Regulatory Committee will make a decision on November 19.

Read more: Residents fight plans for temporary Gypsy site near Southam | Stratford Upon Avon