Travellers could move in on sites near Ashbourne - Derbyshire

From the Ashbourne News Telegraph

MORE potential sites to house Travellers have been identified near Ashbourne.

A protest was launched when the News Telegraph revealed last year that plans had been entered to build a camp site near Ashbourne Cemetery.

The plan fell through but Derbyshire Dales District Council officers are now considering using sites at Turnditch and Hulland Ward to house itnerants.

The Turnditch site is a paddock half a mile outside the village and the Hulland Ward site is part of the garden of Highfield House and has a valuation of £495,000.

Other sites in Bolehill and Bakewell have also been earmarked for potential development to house Travellers.

When it meets tomorrow night, the council’s corporate committee will discuss the viability of the four sites.

It also looks set to approve plans for a gypsy camp at a wood yard in Homesford, near Matlock.

A committee spokesman said: “Tomorrow’s meeting will be asked to decide on the validity of the four sites using an evaluation matrix that takes into account many relevant factors, including site size, ownership, availability, proximity to residential properties, vehicular access, bus routes, shops and schools, ground conditions and access to health services.

“Ten other potential sites were rejected earlier this year using the matrix as a guide.

“A consultation process, which ended in April, included a public meeting at which local residents, businesses and the parish council were invited to have their say.

“Feedback was also invited by post, via email and online to a series of questions about the wood yard site.

“As part of the consultation, local people were asked to suggest suitable alternative sites – but none came forward.”