Residents voice concerns over proposed Scunthorpe Gypsy & Traveller site - Lincolnshire

From the Scunthorpe Telegraph

A PUBLIC meeting was held for residents to discuss their feelings on the possibility of land in Ashby being earmarked for a Gypsy and Traveller site.

Around 20 people attended the meeting, held at the Hobbies Centre, off Bellingham Road.

It came after rumours circulated that North Lincolnshire Council was looking into the possibility of allocating a field between the centre and the Go Outdoors store for Travellers.

Residents at the meeting raised various concerns about the idea and it was agreed to oppose a site scheme if one is officially put forward.

The meeting was called by Robert Deutsch, the co-ordinator of the Franklin Crescent Neighbourhood Watch group.

Mr Deutsch, pictured, said: "We have a website page for the Bellingham Road Residents' Association, which I used to chair.

"I saw a message on there from one of our neighbours and a lot of residents reacted to it.

"I am going to speak to the main businesses around here, alert them to what is going on and try to get their support."

Mr Deutsch said he was pleased with the initial meeting.

He said: "I wanted to give people a chance to put this into action in an appropriate manner.

"I didn't expect this many people to come, but I just wanted a few people because it is really difficult to get positive direction when people are venting their anger.

"This is a charged issue and I want to aim that energy in the right direction."