Gypsy and Traveller site for 15 families planned near Plymouth - Cornwall

From the Plymouth Herald

A public meeting is to be held over plans for a Gypsy and Traveller site for 15 families near Plymouth.

Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing are proposing a transit site at South Treviddo, near Liskeard, on the junction of the Looe Road with the A30.

The site will provide temporary accommodation with basic facilities, such as toilets and a water supply, for Gypsy and Traveller families as they travel across Cornwall.

The longest amount of time families will stay on the site is three months.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes and communities Geoff Brown said: "Cornwall Council is committed to ensuring that members of the travelling communities have the same rights and responsibilities as every other person.

"Properly managed sites will benefit Gypsies and Travellers and the local settled community alike. They will reduce the number of unauthorised encampments that sometimes cause problems and increase the potential risk of tensions between Gypsies and Travellers and the local population.

"Unauthorised sites also raise concern amongst many that some in the Gypsy and Traveller population do not abide by the planning system.

"By providing properly managed sites, there is an alternative for Gypsies and Travellers rather than taking the unauthorised route.

There is an urgent need for a managed transit site and this piece of Council owned land is available and suitable because of its accessibility and location for a short stay transit site for no more than 15 families."

In addition to a public consultation, any proposal will be subject to the full planning process.

The Council and Cornwall Housing will be bringing forward further proposed locations in other parts of Cornwall as it works to provide a network of small sites to meet existing needs and to address unauthorised encampments.

A public exhibition will be held in the Long Room, Public Hall, 3-5 West Street, Liskeard PL14 6BW on Thursday 10 April from 10am to 6pm.

Read more: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Gypsy-Traveller-site-15-families-planned-near/story-20892286-detail/story.html#ixzz2xg1rm0zJ