Friday 3 January 2014

Plans for Plymouth Gypsy and Traveller site are scrapped - Devon

From the Plymouth Herald

PLANS to build a Gypsy and Traveller site in Efford have been scrapped for good.


The controversial site on Military Road was earmarked for a permanent site with ten pitches as long ago as 2008.

Proposals, put on hold after the last Labour Government withheld funding, were revived in 2011.

Now councillors at Plymouth City Council have decided to scrap the plans – and create a wildlife area instead.

Agreement has been reached with the Homes and Communities Agency to switch £516,000 funding previously earmarked for the Efford site to carry out improvements at the Ride, Plymouth’s only official Gypsy site.

The search for suitable sites to meet Plymouth’s need for more permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches will continue as part of the process of agreeing the Plymouth Plan. This decision will not affect plans for a transit site at Broadley Park.

The area was used as a Gypsy and Traveller camp some 40 years ago. Cllr Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for cooperatives and community development, said the council had agreed then that the land would not be used for that purpose again.

“We need to provide more Gypsy and Traveller sites, but Efford is not appropriate,” he said.

Cllr Brian Vincent, Cabinet member for the environment and ward councillor for Efford and Lipson, said: “This site will now be enhanced and protected for wildlife.

“We have secured funding to make this happen.

“We still have significant need for Gypsy and Traveller sites in Plymouth and finding suitable locations is essential. This will be an important part of the development of the Plymouth Plan and any detailed proposals will be the subject to thorough consultation.”

Cllr Vincent said they had uncovered a council minute from 30 years ago saying the site was unsuitable.

“It would be unfair to the Travellers to put them on a site that was already unsuitable 30 years ago,” he said. “People’s aspirations are far greater now.”

When The Herald visited the site in 2009 it was more of a rubbish tip than a nature reserve.

Cllr Vincent acknowledged that there was a problem with fly-tipping. He said: “We have to put something in place to stop people dumping.”

He said there were local people interested in getting involved in creating a wildlife area, and the ward councillors have put in about £2,000 from their community fund towards the work.

Cllr Vincent said they wanted “Nature to take control”.

“We are looking to improve the ecosystem by breaking up the concrete bases of the old shower blocks to encourage a natural progression of wildflowers.”

He said the area was home to bats, foxes and badgers.

Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon, said: “I haven’t changed my mind.

“I don’t think local authorities should provide permanent Gypsy and Traveller sites. They don’t work and I don’t think the taxpayer should fund the lifestyle choice of a tiny minority of people.”

He said the law should be made more robust, and should be enforced, to deal with Gypsies and Travellers.

“They should be stopped from crashing into sites they are not entitled to,” he said.

see also The BBC - Plymouth council scraps Efford Gypsy and Traveller plan

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