From Dorset County Council
Dorset County Council has agreed a temporary transit site for Gypsies and Travellers, to help tackle the impact of unauthorised encampments.
Travellers siteThe council’s Cabinet has earmarked a site in Piddlehinton, near Dorchester, which was used with great success during the 2012 Olympic sailing events in Weymouth and Portland.
There will be pitches for 25 caravans, with access to toilet facilities and fresh water. The council’s Gypsy and Traveller liaison team will manage the site and occupants will be expected to pay rent during their stay.
Previously, a court order has been required to move people on from any unauthorised sites. Having official temporary accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers will enable the police to act more quickly and help reduce problems experienced by local communities across our area.
Cllr Hilary Cox, the council’s Cabinet member for environment, said:
“We are continuing to work with district and borough councils across Dorset to identify locations for permanent transit sites. This process will not be completed until 2017. In the meantime, this proposal for a temporary site is a massive step forward in helping us manage unauthorised encampments around the county in a reasonable and ethical way.
“I am aware of the local concerns, but we will work with Dorset Police to provide local residents and businesses reassurance about the impact of this site which is unlikely to be fully occupied for the full length of time it is in operation.”
Temporary planning permission for the Piddlehinton site will now be sought for a period of five years, and it is hoped to be ready for next summer.
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