Epsom and Ewell Council U-turn on new Traveller and Gypsy sites - Surrey

From the Epsom Guardian

Epsom Council has made a U-turn on publishing a list of potential new Traveller and Gypsy sites today following an outcry when several possible locations were leaked last week.

The council had said it would publish the list on its website today, along with a draft consultation paper on the issue, prior to it coming before the council’s planning policy committee on February 19.

But on Friday it issued a statement saying "more work" needs to be done on evaluating potential sites for more permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the borough and the issue would not now be considered on February 19.

Dozens of worried residents contacted the newspaper and left comments on our website after Court ward councillor Sheila Carlson revealed that areas of scrubland near the smart new Manor Park housing development and a portion of Hook Road Arena were on the shortlist and warned they were likely to prove hugely controversial.

At the time a council spokesman insisted that "there is nothing to be concerned about" as the planning process was at an early stage, was a government requirement and there would be full public consultation.

But on Friday the council said: "The relevant council officers, in consultation with the chairman of the planning policy committee, have stated that more work needs to be done in terms of evaluating the various options and the required information will not be ready for the planning policy committee at this stage."
Related links

Hook Road arena earmarked for Traveller sites

Attacking the idea of putting a site at Hook Road Arena, Annette Grinyer said: "This is a ridiculous proposition. Not only have the residents in this area paid good money for such a desirable location but the arena is used for community gatherings which we believe with deteriorate or cease to exist if a Traveller site is pitched here.

"House prices will be severely affected and as a consequence of maintenance of the pitch and clearing of rubbish, residents paying council tax and other bills will be penalised by increasing bills."

Bernard Pendry agreed: "Whereever Travellers are allowed to set up camp the way of life changes for the worse, house prices fall and local amenities get over stretches but most upsetting is the effect it can have on local children."

Christine Masters said: "I understand that the Gypsy/Travellers have a need for a permanent home base but what about the families in Epsom and Ewell waiting years on the housing register for a home? More land needs to be available for housing development. The land that is to be earmarked for a Gypsy camp could house maybe 40 families. Epsom and Ewell have a chronic shortage of homes for families working and sending their children to school in the area surely they come first?"

Nina Hollingsworth said: "This area has been plagued by problems with Gypsies for many years and now are shocked to read the latest idea in the local Guardian. We find it impossible to believe that this is even being considered by the council knowing all the problems over the years."

Louise McCoy added: "This is a greenbelt area and I feel the grounds would not be looked after it will be destroyed, it brings the houses prices down. Let alone all the trouble in the area that will come with it too. I also aware of the other two sites that are in the borough and well aware of the trouble they bring, and I do not wish to have this on my door step."

Richard Baker said: "There are many residents, who have already expressed their disgust at this proposal. To put it plainly, it is in the council's interest to respect our wishes and not build this third Traveller site in the borough. There must be many other plots of land in the Surrey and greater London area for such a development."

Friday's council statement said: "There is a legal requirement for borough and district councils to go through a process to identify possible sites to meet the need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation. This is currently being undertaken throughout the UK at various stages of maturity.

"This council is in the process of preparing a draft consultation paper on potential site allocation options.

"As the council confirmed to the media earlier this week, we at a very early stage in this process.

"It was intended that a report would be brought to the council's planning policy committee on 19 February, with the committee agenda and its associated reports published and made available to the public during the week commencing 10 February.

"The relevant Council Officers, in consultation with the Chairman of the Planning Policy Committee, have stated that more work needs to be done in terms of evaluating the various options and the required information will not be ready for the Planning Policy Committee at this stage.

"As a result, a report will not be an item for consideration at the meeting on the 19 February.

"Any possible sites that are identified will be subject to full and transparent public consultation. "The council takes public consultation seriously and that its committees take full account of comments raised by local communities during public consultation.

"The council wishes to make it quite clear that no sites have been selected at this time, that it is going through a process required by law, and no decisions have been made."