‘Ridiculous, unnecessary and damaging’: Plans for Travellers site at Creekmoor slammed as decision deferred to emergency meeting - Dorset

From the Daily Echo

THE possibility of opening a summer stopping place for Travellers at Creekmoor, Poole has been branded ‘ridiculous, unnecessary and damaging’.

Creekmoor ward councillor John Rampton led the charge opposing proposals which named a site at Marshes End, Creekmoor for a 27 pitch site and a second area of land north of B&Q in Broadstone Way with four pitches.

However Borough of Poole’s cabinet deferred a decision, deciding that the matter was so important it should go before an emergency meeting of full council on Monday, January 27 at 6pm.

“There would be significant capital costs and revenue costs in relation to this land,” said Cllr Rampton. “It does tremendous and particularly material harm to residents.”

He said the site, next to the fire station, was not fit for human habitation and pointed out the council was under no obligation to provide a site.

Council leader Cllr Elaine Atkinson said: “We don’t have a duty to provide a site.

“But if we want the police to intervene and help us we have to have somewhere for them to move people to. That’s the law and that’s where we are.”

Ward councillor Judy Butt questioned the whole idea of a temporary stopping place.

“My residents are deeply offended they are apparently to be used as an experiment in this regard,” she said.

And ward councillor Les Burden said it was an unsuitable site with no safe pedestrian access. Supporting the proposal to take it before full council, Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation said: “I don’t feel we can do justice to anybody in this situation.

“There needs to be proper and full debate at full council.”

Around 20 residents turned out to hear the cabinet debate and frustration was voiced that they were not able to give their views, causing Cllr Atkinson to briefly suspend the meeting.

Creekmoor resident Shaun Connolly said: “The people of Millfield are really upset and peeved.

“Every time we fight one issue there’s another one.”

And would-be resident Rob of Hamworthy said: “I feel so strongly against this site I’m going to pull out of a house I am buying on Creekmoor if it goes ahead.”

Poole Mayor, Cllr Phil Eades, said: “I would urge all residents and councillors to unite behind this plan to put an end to the misery suffered by many thousands of residents and visitors to Poole every summer caused by unauthorised incursions onto public land by Travellers.”