Selby Travellers’ site build hangs in balance - Yorkshire

From the Press

COUNCIL leaders in Selby have admitted they are unlikely to build a new Travellers’ site in the district by next spring, putting a funding offer in jeopardy.

Plans for a new 15-pitch site at Burn Airfield were rejected by Selby District Council’s planning committee last year after residents campaigned against the scheme, with the authority later being criticised by the Local Government Ombudsman over the way it selected the site.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has now withdrawn its “willingness” to sell part of the airfield to the council for Travellers’ accommodation, and although it extended the deadline to find an alternative, it did not give the authority more time to complete the site.

A report which will go before the council’s executive this week said that if the HCA’s remaining offer of a grant is to be accepted, a new site will have to be completed by next March and this timescale is unlikely to be met.

Two possible sites – on land off the A163 at Barlby, and on Hazel Old Lane in Hensall – may be looked at, but another potential option in Bondgate, Selby, is not immediately available.

Officials said it was not yet clear whether the HCA might extend its completion deadline, but the council could make a request if it identifies a new site and starts work on delivering it.