Travellers' site row: we've nowhere to put transit camp, say Bournemouth and Poole leaders - Dorset

From the Daily Echo

BOURNEMOUTH and Poole have nowhere to put official sites for Gypsies and Travellers, their leaders have insisted.

The stance puts the towns at odds with the county’s police and crime commissioner and Dorset County Council, who both think the conurbation should find a site.

The controversy took a new twist today with the prospect of cabinet minister Eric Pickles allowing tougher action against illegal camps in Bournemouth and Poole.

Police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill told the Daily Echo that Mr Pickles would let police use stronger powers – as long as there was an official site shared between authorities.

But Mr Underhill added: “There has got to be a temporary Travellers’ site in the conurbation.”

Dorset recently took a major step towards providing a transit site at either Weymouth or Piddlehinton. A committee voted to work with Bournemouth and Poole to find a temporary site.

But Cllr John Beesley, leader of Bournemouth council, said the only available sites would have been on the green belt.

“It’s now clear that there are no suitable sites in Bournemouth.

For lawful planning reasons, any time potential sites are put forward, they are rejected.”

Cllr Mike White, deputy leader of the Borough of Poole, said: “We believe that working with neighbouring authorities in Bournemouth and across Dorset to find a county-wide solution represents the best way forward.”

The law allows police to act quicker in areas where the council has a transit camp.

A forum on the Travellers issue, called by Poole council cabinet member Cllr Judy Butt, was due to meet today to be attended by police, residents’ associations, council officers and the NHS.

The issue will also be discussed at a meeting of Bournemouth’s Local Development Framework Steering Group on Monday. A report recommends that transit sites are located in South East Dorset and the Dorset County Council area, rather than in Bournemouth.