Angry shouts from public gallery as Stockton Council vote to press ahead with public consultation on potential Gypsy sites - Yoekshire

From the Gazette Live

Angry shouts from the public gallery at Stockton Town Hall greeted a vote to start consulting on a controversial shortlist of potential new Gypsy and Traveller sites in the borough.

Following a heated debate councillors at the monthly meeting of Stockton Council last night voted to press ahead with a public consultation on six identified sites.

But many members voiced their anger and concern over the plans.

As reported the six potential sites are land; to the rear of Roddmere, Yarm Back Lane, Stockton; Frederick Street, Stockton; Between Bowesfield Crescent and the River Tees, Stockton; Mill Lane, Billingham; Eltham Crescent, Thornaby and between the River Tees and Thornaby Road, Thornaby.

The shortlist was drawn up after nearly 11,000 sites were initially identified.

Council chiefs say inclusion in the list does not mean the sites will actually be developed.

But Conservative councillor Terry Laing told last night’s meeting that the issue was “moving too quickly” and called for a detailed review of potential sites with council members.

His calls were backed by Thornaby independent councillor Steve Walmsley who called the shortlist an “absolute farce, the whole lot of it”.

He said that 10,900 sites, “whittled down to six is phenomenal by anyone’s standards”.

He added: “If you have any conscience at all withdraw it and let’s get back out and talk about it again.”

UKIP councillor Mark Chatburn, of Yarm, also supported withdrawing the shortlist saying “it’s utterly preposterous”.

But Labour councillor Eileen Johnson denied there was any Labour plot and said of the six sites identified as possibly suitable sites five have got Labour representatives.

She said the Government insists on all local authorities drawing up this document and said Government guidelines for these sites say “they have to be close to schools, shops and doctors”.

Councillor Mike Smith, Labour, said: “We can all appreciate from the comments we have heard tonight this is quite an emotive issue for members and residents alike.

“This is a consultation to take this out to residents of the borough. We have got to name these sites to go out to consultation.

“That period of consultation is a chance for residents to put forward their views on these sites.”

In a narrow vote of 25 to 20 councillors voted to put the list out to consultation.

The consultation on the shortlist will run from February 3 to March 17 with all comments received forming part of a further assessment of the sites.

A draft Gipsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Site Allocations local development document will then be released for public consultation this summer.