Call for "secret" Gypsy site plan to be revealed - Cheshire

From wilmslow.co.uk

Councillors and residents are calling on Cheshire East Council (CEC) to reveal details of a "secret plan" to assist Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council with meeting their requirements for Traveller and Gypsy sites.

The two councils are in discussion about using a piece of land which CEC own in Stockport Borough for a Traveller and Gypsy site.

Our source at CEC did not confirm where the site was but said it was a "good site in the middle of nowhere", adding "We believe if they put the entrance in we can have it as a Gypsy/Traveller site for the both of us."

Although CEC own the land it would be up to SMBC to grant planning permission.

This news has caused concern amongst some councillors and residents who feel they are being kept in the dark.

Cllr Barry Burkhill, Handforth Ratepayer Independent Councillor, told wilmslow.co.uk "This was discussed briefly at the end of a very long meeting on the Local Plan at 10.30pm on Friday, 28th February.

"As yet we do not have exact details but we understand that a Gypsy/Traveller site is to be made available on land that Cheshire East Council own, just within Stockport Borough boundary on the edge of the proposed new settlement of Handforth East.

"This seems to have been part of a deal made between the unelected chief executives of CEC and Stockport Borough in a Memorandum of Understanding and done as a sweetener for Stockport Borough in order to help prevent them from objecting to the proposed greenbelt development of Handforth East in the draft Local Plan.

"As yet, this is a secret deal because Conservative led Cheshire East Council will not release the details of this Memorandum of Understanding until 14th March and only then because we have found out about it.

"We do not know the full implications of this and how it may affect the locality but residents will want to have their say about it and the way it has been done and we will listen to their views."

Cllr Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, commented "There has been some confusion on a site mentioned in the Memorandum Of Understanding with Stockport. I am happy to clarify the mistake by a Councillor.

"There are no sites in Cheshire East for Gypsy and Travellers at Handforth or Wilmslow. There have been sites proposed but the independent consultant has ruled these out.

"There is a site still under consideration which is Council owned land, which is based within the boundary of Stockport. This site would require cooperation with Stockport to deliver, especially on planning and access. The report will be released as soon as possible."

The main purposes of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed by the two Chief Executives on 19th February 2014, are to: establish areas of agreement between the two councils, identify areas where further work is required and set out a work programme for areas of collaboration.

The scope of the document is to cover Borough-wide development requirements, particularly housing needs in Cheshire East because meeting these will involve the allocation and delivery of a large extent of land, including Gypsy and Traveller accommodation; Green Belt implications of the development proposals in Cheshire East; the formulation of specific development proposals at Handforth East and the wider transport implications and mitigation proposals.

Manuel Golding, of Residents of Wilmslow (RoW) said "Cheshire East had made no mention of this MoU, believing it had a rather secret document, to store away and make public at its perceived best and most opportune time. Conservative councillors were not made aware of its existence by their leadership - they were rather surprised to hear of it!."

Manuel added "The Conservative leadership was forced to acknowledge the document on Friday night, saying it would make it public on the 14th March! Why wait? Why continue keeping their fellow councillors in the dark."

Cheshire East Council will shortly be announcing which sites have been identified as potential sites for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling show people. It is national policy that as part of the local plan the Council is required to identify a five year land supply for the provision of Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling show people sites. We understand that Cheshire East Council need to provide around 60 pitches in the Borough.

Cllr Michael Jones said "As part of a sub regional and pan Cheshire approach we have jointly commissioned a Gypsy and Travellers Needs Assessment to establish the need across the sub region and Cheshire East have also engaged an independent external consultant to undertake a site identification study to establish suitable sites across the authority.

"This report is in its final stages and no decision has yet been taken. Once a suitable list of sites has been established then the report will form part of the Local Plan evidence base and will be available to the public..

"It is a very difficult discussion around Traveller sites and we are being very sensitive to this. I am pleased that we have received numerous sites from the private sector and these have been examined. Once the report has been published a clear debate will be undertaken and through the planning process consultation with stakeholders and the public will be undertaken, which will be included in their Local Plan Site Allocations and Development Policies document."