City of York Council to borrow cash for Travellers site extension - Yorkshire

From the Press

COUNCIL bosses could borrow £340,000 to extend a controversial Travellers’ site in the city after the scheme was given the go-ahead.

City of York Council’s planning committee approved proposals to increase the size of the Osbaldwick site at a meeting last week, despite fierce opposition, with the authority saying it has a duty to provide accommodation for Travellers.

The site will have six extra pitches as well as grazing land for horses, with the expansion expected to cost £763,500. Of this, £423,500 is earmarked to come from a Housing and Communities Agency grant, and the council’s cabinet will next week be asked to approve borrowing the rest, with additional rent income being used to repay this sum.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, cabinet member for housing, said: “Cabinet allowing us to secure funding will help us meet a shortfall in pitches as well as improved facilities for this community.” Opponents of the extension included Osbaldwick residents, parish councils, ward councillor Mark Warters and York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, with five votes needed at last week's meeting before a final decision was made.