STUPID, lazy and “a complete balls up” – these were some of the more polite ways in which Lewisham Council’s consultation on building a Travellers’ site were described at a public meeting.
Around 60 people turned up to the event at the St Mary’s Centre, Ladywell, as part of a consultation on building a five-pitch site on the former Watergate School site in Church Grove.
They got to ask council Director of Programme Management and Property Steve Gough questions about the plans but rarely seemed impressed with the responses they got.
And during the meeting it emerged that a key report on whether the residential street is wide is enough for caravans will not be publicly available until after the consultation closes.
Residents say they have been misled on that issue in the current consultation documents.
Terry Edge, aged 59, asked: “Why aren’t you stopping the consultation and starting again?”
Mr Gough replied: “The simple answer to that is the research we’re having done will determine whether or not the information we’ve provided is correct.”
He said that people in Church Grove would get to see the report before it goes to a mayor and cabinet meeting for decision in January.
Church Grove people say the road is simply too narrow for a 2.55m caravan and vehicles towing them will have to mount the pavement to avoid hitting parked cars.
Clare Brynley-Jones said: “It’s stupid lazy planning by lazy planning officers with poor people skills, stupid and dangerous results.
“This is not a model proposal, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
Criticism of the plans has already come from Lewisham Deptford MP Joan Ruddock and the Ladywell Village Improvement Group.
Despite protests, the site was given planning permission back in 2008, but is back on the table after those plans fell through.
The current consultation closes on December 18.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Youngsters see the beauty of the Romany way of life - Wiltshire
A MINI Romany caravan at Wroughton Infant School has been lovingly refurbished and re-decorated by volunteers.
The caravan – known as a varda – has been in the playground for years, forming an unusual static attraction on which children can play, but it became rather run-down.
This year the school started a refurbishment programme, with caretaker Alan Collins re-felting the roof and parents sanding down the caravan and applying a new undercoat.
Then artist Debbie Hooper, who is the wife of the school’s chairman of governors, Dr Keith Hooper, spent 120 hours turning it into a work of art featuring ponies, fruit, trees and other objects.
Teacher Karon Brown said it was particularly nice to have the refurbished varda because some of the school’s pupils come from the Travellers’ site in the village.
She said: “I thought it was important because we have travelling children at the school and it’s part of their heritage. And it would be nice for the other children in the school to understand that as well.
“That’s their way of life, not so much these days but their parents and grandparents would have lived in vardas.”
The caravan – known as a varda – has been in the playground for years, forming an unusual static attraction on which children can play, but it became rather run-down.
This year the school started a refurbishment programme, with caretaker Alan Collins re-felting the roof and parents sanding down the caravan and applying a new undercoat.
Then artist Debbie Hooper, who is the wife of the school’s chairman of governors, Dr Keith Hooper, spent 120 hours turning it into a work of art featuring ponies, fruit, trees and other objects.
Teacher Karon Brown said it was particularly nice to have the refurbished varda because some of the school’s pupils come from the Travellers’ site in the village.
She said: “I thought it was important because we have travelling children at the school and it’s part of their heritage. And it would be nice for the other children in the school to understand that as well.
“That’s their way of life, not so much these days but their parents and grandparents would have lived in vardas.”
Saturday, 10 December 2011
MP joins Traveller site debate - Winsford
WINSFORD MP Stephen O’Brien has visited the town to consider the proposed Gypsy and Traveller site in Blakeden Lane.
Stephen went to see for himself the site put forward by Cheshire West and Chester Council which has been earmarked for 20 permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
He said: “Members of Parliament have no role in the planning process whatsoever, including no decision making powers.
“However, this application has provoked a great deal of concern amongst local residents and I have received a number of letters as a result.
“Given the level of concern about this application I sought a site meeting so that I could be fully appraised of the facts and the wider implications of this site on behalf of my constituents so that I am best placed to represent their concerns to the council.”
A community forum meeting, discussing the plans for a gipsy and traveller site in Winsford, will take place at Wyvern House from 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 14.
All residents welcome.
Stephen went to see for himself the site put forward by Cheshire West and Chester Council which has been earmarked for 20 permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
He said: “Members of Parliament have no role in the planning process whatsoever, including no decision making powers.
“However, this application has provoked a great deal of concern amongst local residents and I have received a number of letters as a result.
“Given the level of concern about this application I sought a site meeting so that I could be fully appraised of the facts and the wider implications of this site on behalf of my constituents so that I am best placed to represent their concerns to the council.”
A community forum meeting, discussing the plans for a gipsy and traveller site in Winsford, will take place at Wyvern House from 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 14.
All residents welcome.
Travellers may be offered more sites in Leeds to set up camp
TRAVELLERS and Gypsies could be granted more places to set up camp in Leeds as part of plans being considered by senior councillors.
Bosses at Leeds Council want to introduce new measures to reduce the number of unauthorised camps which have cost taxpayers almost £2m in clean-up and eviction and legal costs since 2003.
One of the key proposals is the creation of more caravan pitches which, it is hoped, will encourage Traveller and Gypsy families with Leeds connections to set up camp at places endorsed by the council.
Councillors will next week be asked to approve a set of site selection guidelines to continue the work looking into possible sites for the Leeds-based traveller families.
The issue will be discussed by senior councillors at a meeting of the council’s executive board on Wednesday.
If the recommended selection guidelines are approved, the next steps will be for officers to identify sites that would potentially be available for accommodation for gipsies and travellers.
The guidelines that have been put forward take into account the current and emerging guidance from the Government, the council’s policies and also how to make best use of council-owned land assets.
Leeds Council’s executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods and housing, Coun Peter Gruen, said: “The process of identifying potential site options for Gypsies and Travellers is still at an initial stage. This is another key step forward in our work towards reducing the number of unauthorised encampments across the city.
“Our new approach is already proving successful – the number of unauthorised encampments is down 23 per cent on this time last year, the courts backed our application for an injunction preventing encampments across the Burley area and we have improved the management of our existing traveller site at Cottingley Springs.
“We will of course ensure we consult with local people affected by decision and options for sites in the future, and also the Gypsy and Traveller community.
“There are a number of factors that we need to consider and these will feed heavily into any decision we make.”
The meeting next week follows from an inquiry last year into site provision by the council’s environments and neighbourhoods scrutiny board.
The board presented 12 recommendations, with the conclusion that the current cycle of encampment and evictions was not meeting the needs of Gypsies and Travellers nor Leeds residents.
If the selection guidelines, which include issues such as planning and whether the land is sustainable and easy to manage, are backed a future report will identify a possible site or sites.
“Officers believe that there is limited value in considering sites that are under offer allocated for another purpose or occupied/tenanted given the alternative value that they represent to the council,” a report to executive members says.
It is intended that viable site options will be submitted to the executive board for consideration and approval at a later date. If site options are approved then planning applications would also need to be made and approved before any work is carried out.
In the report to members, council chiefs also stress that once a suitable site or sites has been discovered the public will be consulted. Gypsies and Travellers will also be asked for their views on any proposed sites.
The West Yorkshire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) identified that there was an unmet need of 40 pitches in Leeds in 2008 rising to 48 by 2015.
The report adds that evidence presented to the scrutiny board inquiry and ongoing monitoring has identified 12 pitches are currently needed and this is where the authority should focus in the short and medium-term.
see also: Yorkshire Evening Post
Bosses at Leeds Council want to introduce new measures to reduce the number of unauthorised camps which have cost taxpayers almost £2m in clean-up and eviction and legal costs since 2003.
One of the key proposals is the creation of more caravan pitches which, it is hoped, will encourage Traveller and Gypsy families with Leeds connections to set up camp at places endorsed by the council.
Councillors will next week be asked to approve a set of site selection guidelines to continue the work looking into possible sites for the Leeds-based traveller families.
The issue will be discussed by senior councillors at a meeting of the council’s executive board on Wednesday.
If the recommended selection guidelines are approved, the next steps will be for officers to identify sites that would potentially be available for accommodation for gipsies and travellers.
The guidelines that have been put forward take into account the current and emerging guidance from the Government, the council’s policies and also how to make best use of council-owned land assets.
Leeds Council’s executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods and housing, Coun Peter Gruen, said: “The process of identifying potential site options for Gypsies and Travellers is still at an initial stage. This is another key step forward in our work towards reducing the number of unauthorised encampments across the city.
“Our new approach is already proving successful – the number of unauthorised encampments is down 23 per cent on this time last year, the courts backed our application for an injunction preventing encampments across the Burley area and we have improved the management of our existing traveller site at Cottingley Springs.
“We will of course ensure we consult with local people affected by decision and options for sites in the future, and also the Gypsy and Traveller community.
“There are a number of factors that we need to consider and these will feed heavily into any decision we make.”
The meeting next week follows from an inquiry last year into site provision by the council’s environments and neighbourhoods scrutiny board.
The board presented 12 recommendations, with the conclusion that the current cycle of encampment and evictions was not meeting the needs of Gypsies and Travellers nor Leeds residents.
If the selection guidelines, which include issues such as planning and whether the land is sustainable and easy to manage, are backed a future report will identify a possible site or sites.
“Officers believe that there is limited value in considering sites that are under offer allocated for another purpose or occupied/tenanted given the alternative value that they represent to the council,” a report to executive members says.
It is intended that viable site options will be submitted to the executive board for consideration and approval at a later date. If site options are approved then planning applications would also need to be made and approved before any work is carried out.
In the report to members, council chiefs also stress that once a suitable site or sites has been discovered the public will be consulted. Gypsies and Travellers will also be asked for their views on any proposed sites.
The West Yorkshire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) identified that there was an unmet need of 40 pitches in Leeds in 2008 rising to 48 by 2015.
The report adds that evidence presented to the scrutiny board inquiry and ongoing monitoring has identified 12 pitches are currently needed and this is where the authority should focus in the short and medium-term.
see also: Yorkshire Evening Post
Plans for new Travellers' site in Rangeworthy are deferred after land ownership is questioned - Gloucestershire
NO DECISION was reached about plans for a second Travellers’ site in Rangeworthy after questions of land ownership brought council deliberations to an abrupt halt last week.
Just one day before the South Gloucestershire Council development committee west meeting on Thursday, planning officers received a document suggesting that TL Demolition did not own the Tanhouse Lane grounds in their entirety.
This unexpected turn of events meant that for legal reasons and despite councillors pushing for an immediate vote on the proposed 14 pitches to accommodate Gypsies and Travellers, the final decision was deferred pending investigation.
Planning officer Helen O’Connor revealed the existence of the controversial letter to councillors.
She said: "We can’t ignore this correspondence. We need to act reasonably.
"This is a procedural issue we need to resolve before making a decision either way. The planning authority needs to demonstrate that it has acted in a legal manner.
"We need to go back and check the ownership."
The news was greeted with jeers from the Tanhouse Lane residents sitting in the public gallery. They were backed by Cllr Ben Walker who urged his colleagues to vote against the application anyway, on the grounds of the site’s impact on locals.
The applicant, Shannon Parks, of Shannon Parks Ltd, said that the site had been identified as part of the West of England Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment which found 58 residential and 25 transit pitches were needed in South Gloucestershire.
"Gypsies and Travellers have a right to live in the way that they choose to. We have had a huge amount of support for this project from the Gypsy and Traveller community," she said.
Yet, committee members pointed out that there was already an unused Travellers’ site in Hall End, less than half a mile from Tanhouse Lane.
Cllr Howard Gawler added: "There is hardly a demonstrable need for the site. There are only two Traveller families on the waiting list.
"The size of the site is out of proportion. It would increase traffic and Tanhouse Lane is very narrow. We should not be increasing traffic by design."
A total of 12 pitches would be created for residential purposes and a further two added for transit.
Tanhouse Lane residents David Powell and his wife Karen attended the meeting. They would be the most affected by the Gypsy site as their house would be right next door to it.
Mr Powell told The Gazette: "There were plenty of grounds for refusal. Each pitch is for three families. It’s not just the issue of getting caravans in that concerns us. It’s the issue of how many vehicles there will be per family going in and out at all times."
Malcolm Finniear, who also lives on Tanhouse Lane, said: "We are disappointed. We are right on the corner where their cars would pass every day. It would not be safe at all."
A decision will now be made on January 5.
Just one day before the South Gloucestershire Council development committee west meeting on Thursday, planning officers received a document suggesting that TL Demolition did not own the Tanhouse Lane grounds in their entirety.
This unexpected turn of events meant that for legal reasons and despite councillors pushing for an immediate vote on the proposed 14 pitches to accommodate Gypsies and Travellers, the final decision was deferred pending investigation.
Planning officer Helen O’Connor revealed the existence of the controversial letter to councillors.
She said: "We can’t ignore this correspondence. We need to act reasonably.
"This is a procedural issue we need to resolve before making a decision either way. The planning authority needs to demonstrate that it has acted in a legal manner.
"We need to go back and check the ownership."
The news was greeted with jeers from the Tanhouse Lane residents sitting in the public gallery. They were backed by Cllr Ben Walker who urged his colleagues to vote against the application anyway, on the grounds of the site’s impact on locals.
The applicant, Shannon Parks, of Shannon Parks Ltd, said that the site had been identified as part of the West of England Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment which found 58 residential and 25 transit pitches were needed in South Gloucestershire.
"Gypsies and Travellers have a right to live in the way that they choose to. We have had a huge amount of support for this project from the Gypsy and Traveller community," she said.
Yet, committee members pointed out that there was already an unused Travellers’ site in Hall End, less than half a mile from Tanhouse Lane.
Cllr Howard Gawler added: "There is hardly a demonstrable need for the site. There are only two Traveller families on the waiting list.
"The size of the site is out of proportion. It would increase traffic and Tanhouse Lane is very narrow. We should not be increasing traffic by design."
A total of 12 pitches would be created for residential purposes and a further two added for transit.
Tanhouse Lane residents David Powell and his wife Karen attended the meeting. They would be the most affected by the Gypsy site as their house would be right next door to it.
Mr Powell told The Gazette: "There were plenty of grounds for refusal. Each pitch is for three families. It’s not just the issue of getting caravans in that concerns us. It’s the issue of how many vehicles there will be per family going in and out at all times."
Malcolm Finniear, who also lives on Tanhouse Lane, said: "We are disappointed. We are right on the corner where their cars would pass every day. It would not be safe at all."
A decision will now be made on January 5.
Friday, 9 December 2011
Council rules out Leatherhead permanent Gypsy site - Surrey
THE door was slammed shut on plans to make a Leatherhead Gypsy site permanent amid fears their approval might lead to an ‘open door policy’ for such applications in Mole Valley.
Wednesday night’s decision to refuse permanent permission for four pitches off River Lane was the latest chapter in a saga going back almost nine years, since travellers bought the land in 2003.
It will not be the end of it either, with the families now considering an appeal against the district council decision or putting in another temporary application.
An officer report advised councillors to allow the plans as the authority had failed to find an alternative place for the four families to live, but most members ignored this and the plans were thrown out.
A government inspector ruled in 2007 that the families could stay while the council was given four years to conduct this search, but officers looked at 41 sites in the north of Mole Valley and found all to be unsuitable or unavailable.
The families then asked to stay permanently, something opposed by people living nearby who are angry at the impact of the site on the three acres of rural land.
More than 600 people signed two petitions opposing the idea.
As it is in the green belt, the site would normally be deemed as inappropriate development, but council officers said the government officer’s ruling and the failure to find other land made opposing the permanent application difficult.
Councillors admitted the council had failed the families and other residents of Mole Valley by not finding somewhere else, but Jenny Moore, speaking for the families, said they would be unlikely to find such a happy home.
“These families have been part of the local community for the last eight years,” she said. “They have integrated into local schools, they feel Leatherhead is their home. To be accepted by so many and supported by people outside their own community means everything.”
Leatherhead Trinity was among the groups which sent in letters of support for the proposals, along with a church, charity, shop and football club in the town.
But some councillors were angry they were given emotive information about the children when they were trying to make a decision on planning grounds.
They raised fears of an increase in the site’s current 31 residents and an “erosion of the rural gap between Leatherhead and Fetcham”. Several said the applicants’ ethnic group should not affect their decision.
Cllr Rosemary Dixon (Leatherhead South) questioned whether this building on green belt land would be allowed if they were doctors and dentists.
“No other person would be allowed to get away with this,” she said. “I have nothing against Gypsies and Travellers. I find it hard to believe nowhere else would accommodate them. If we allow this, what will happen when Gypsies move on to Ranmore Common, Norbury Park or further down River Lane?”
Her fears that the council could be seen to have an open-door policy to such applications were echoed by Cllr Derrick Burt (Dorking North).
He said: “I would love to buy land in the green belt and build houses for my children on it, except that would harm the green belt, which is the reason we want to live here. There are 1,400 people on the housing list who would love to build on the green belt.”
But Cllr Valerie Homewood (Beare Green) said: “If we decide to refuse this, which will go to appeal, we will probably have to find somewhere for these folk anyway. We’re asking people to leave their homes but not having anywhere for them to go.”
see also: Surrey Today
Wednesday night’s decision to refuse permanent permission for four pitches off River Lane was the latest chapter in a saga going back almost nine years, since travellers bought the land in 2003.
It will not be the end of it either, with the families now considering an appeal against the district council decision or putting in another temporary application.
An officer report advised councillors to allow the plans as the authority had failed to find an alternative place for the four families to live, but most members ignored this and the plans were thrown out.
A government inspector ruled in 2007 that the families could stay while the council was given four years to conduct this search, but officers looked at 41 sites in the north of Mole Valley and found all to be unsuitable or unavailable.
The families then asked to stay permanently, something opposed by people living nearby who are angry at the impact of the site on the three acres of rural land.
More than 600 people signed two petitions opposing the idea.
As it is in the green belt, the site would normally be deemed as inappropriate development, but council officers said the government officer’s ruling and the failure to find other land made opposing the permanent application difficult.
Councillors admitted the council had failed the families and other residents of Mole Valley by not finding somewhere else, but Jenny Moore, speaking for the families, said they would be unlikely to find such a happy home.
“These families have been part of the local community for the last eight years,” she said. “They have integrated into local schools, they feel Leatherhead is their home. To be accepted by so many and supported by people outside their own community means everything.”
Leatherhead Trinity was among the groups which sent in letters of support for the proposals, along with a church, charity, shop and football club in the town.
But some councillors were angry they were given emotive information about the children when they were trying to make a decision on planning grounds.
They raised fears of an increase in the site’s current 31 residents and an “erosion of the rural gap between Leatherhead and Fetcham”. Several said the applicants’ ethnic group should not affect their decision.
Cllr Rosemary Dixon (Leatherhead South) questioned whether this building on green belt land would be allowed if they were doctors and dentists.
“No other person would be allowed to get away with this,” she said. “I have nothing against Gypsies and Travellers. I find it hard to believe nowhere else would accommodate them. If we allow this, what will happen when Gypsies move on to Ranmore Common, Norbury Park or further down River Lane?”
Her fears that the council could be seen to have an open-door policy to such applications were echoed by Cllr Derrick Burt (Dorking North).
He said: “I would love to buy land in the green belt and build houses for my children on it, except that would harm the green belt, which is the reason we want to live here. There are 1,400 people on the housing list who would love to build on the green belt.”
But Cllr Valerie Homewood (Beare Green) said: “If we decide to refuse this, which will go to appeal, we will probably have to find somewhere for these folk anyway. We’re asking people to leave their homes but not having anywhere for them to go.”
see also: Surrey Today
Gypsy camp offer – spurned? - Selby
THE OWNER of a potential Gypsy site near South Milford has spoken of his frustrations in trying to get his land considered by Selby District Council.
John Taylor says that his agent even has a letter from Communities Minister Eric Pickles saying the Milford Caravan site should be given the go ahead!
“It’s very frustrating,” he said. “I must have approached them 20 times – the last time was only a couple of weeks ago – but they just don’t seem interested. I don’t know why they are so resistant.”
John Taylor says that his agent even has a letter from Communities Minister Eric Pickles saying the Milford Caravan site should be given the go ahead!
“It’s very frustrating,” he said. “I must have approached them 20 times – the last time was only a couple of weeks ago – but they just don’t seem interested. I don’t know why they are so resistant.”
New life for the travelling man who just wants peace - Paddy Doherty
52-year-old Paddy Doherty has enjoyed new-found fame since winning Channel 5 reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother, but will not let it go to his head.
The former bare-knuckle boxing champion is now living at the Riverside Travellers’ site in Queensferry since he upped sticks from the Duchy Road caravan site in Salford with his wife Roseanne, 49.
Over tea and toast with the Leader, the father-of-five spoke about his love of North Wales, his unlikely friendship with the Commons Speaker’s wife and how he is using his high profile to help charity.
“We have fancied coming here for years,” said Paddy, who has run the Salford site on behalf of the Gypsy Council for a decade.
“I have a lot of family here and my wife loves it.
“Wales is peaceful and we’re getting to that certain age now where we just want peace.
“My grandchildren are learning Welsh. Now they can count to 10. It’s fantastic.
“I know everyone on this site. That’s just travelling culture.”
Paddy is especially grateful for the warm welcome from locals.
“I love it when people say ‘all right Paddy’ and I don’t know who they are,” he said.
“The other day I asked a policeman for directions and he shook my hand and said he was glad to have met me.
“People were good enough to vote for me so if I can put a smile on their face, I will.”
Paddy entered the spotlight after he featured on the Channel 4 documentary series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, which followed the nuptials of Gypsies and Irish Travellers.
But it was his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother which rocketed him into the public mainstream.
There he won over the hearts of viewers and his fellow housemates, including actress Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff, paparazzo Darren Lyons, singers Jedward and reality TV star Kerry Katona.
Paddy was hailed the winner but says his biggest victory was altering the misconception of the Gypsy community by the public.
“I think it has opened doors for a lot of Travellers,” he said.
“I was raised to believe that country people didn’t like us, but that’s not true any more.
“I went on Big Brother with the intention of walking after a week, but I never got nominated for eviction.
“I don’t rate myself as a celebrity. I keep my feet on the ground and I remember who I am and where I came from.
“I’m just a normal travelling lad.”
Bizarrely, his closest friend from the show was Sally Bercow, wife of the Speaker of the House of Commons.
In fact, the pair hit it off so well that they landed their own life-swap show When Paddy Met Sally, a two-part series which will be screened on Channel 5 in January.
“Me and Sally are like chalk and cheese, but it just works,” said Paddy.
“She lived with me for two weeks while we filmed the documentary and she was crying when she left.
“A Traveller’s life is very hard if you’re not a Traveller. You won’t get used to it because you have got to be born for it, but Sally took to it like a duck to water.”
Paddy’s favourite part of new-found fame is the charity work he is able to do.
In October, he raised thousands for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a series of auctions and sponsored walks.
And on Friday, he will pound the streets of London in a half-marathon for bowel cancer charities.
“Charity work is the only enjoyable thing about being a celebrity,” he said.
“I get a buzz out of helping other people.”
When he is not making television appearances in London, Paddy tends to his horses on nearby land and works out in the gym.
He is also preparing to jet off to Tenerife for eight days over Christmas with his family.
The former bare-knuckle boxing champion is now living at the Riverside Travellers’ site in Queensferry since he upped sticks from the Duchy Road caravan site in Salford with his wife Roseanne, 49.
Over tea and toast with the Leader, the father-of-five spoke about his love of North Wales, his unlikely friendship with the Commons Speaker’s wife and how he is using his high profile to help charity.
“We have fancied coming here for years,” said Paddy, who has run the Salford site on behalf of the Gypsy Council for a decade.
“I have a lot of family here and my wife loves it.
“Wales is peaceful and we’re getting to that certain age now where we just want peace.
“My grandchildren are learning Welsh. Now they can count to 10. It’s fantastic.
“I know everyone on this site. That’s just travelling culture.”
Paddy is especially grateful for the warm welcome from locals.
“I love it when people say ‘all right Paddy’ and I don’t know who they are,” he said.
“The other day I asked a policeman for directions and he shook my hand and said he was glad to have met me.
“People were good enough to vote for me so if I can put a smile on their face, I will.”
Paddy entered the spotlight after he featured on the Channel 4 documentary series My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, which followed the nuptials of Gypsies and Irish Travellers.
But it was his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother which rocketed him into the public mainstream.
There he won over the hearts of viewers and his fellow housemates, including actress Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff, paparazzo Darren Lyons, singers Jedward and reality TV star Kerry Katona.
Paddy was hailed the winner but says his biggest victory was altering the misconception of the Gypsy community by the public.
“I think it has opened doors for a lot of Travellers,” he said.
“I was raised to believe that country people didn’t like us, but that’s not true any more.
“I went on Big Brother with the intention of walking after a week, but I never got nominated for eviction.
“I don’t rate myself as a celebrity. I keep my feet on the ground and I remember who I am and where I came from.
“I’m just a normal travelling lad.”
Bizarrely, his closest friend from the show was Sally Bercow, wife of the Speaker of the House of Commons.
In fact, the pair hit it off so well that they landed their own life-swap show When Paddy Met Sally, a two-part series which will be screened on Channel 5 in January.
“Me and Sally are like chalk and cheese, but it just works,” said Paddy.
“She lived with me for two weeks while we filmed the documentary and she was crying when she left.
“A Traveller’s life is very hard if you’re not a Traveller. You won’t get used to it because you have got to be born for it, but Sally took to it like a duck to water.”
Paddy’s favourite part of new-found fame is the charity work he is able to do.
In October, he raised thousands for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a series of auctions and sponsored walks.
And on Friday, he will pound the streets of London in a half-marathon for bowel cancer charities.
“Charity work is the only enjoyable thing about being a celebrity,” he said.
“I get a buzz out of helping other people.”
When he is not making television appearances in London, Paddy tends to his horses on nearby land and works out in the gym.
He is also preparing to jet off to Tenerife for eight days over Christmas with his family.
Traveller caravans plan is submitted for Hurworth Moor - Darlington
ANOTHER application for four more Traveller caravans has been submitted for a village site.
Foster Lee has submitted a planning application to site four mobile homes and six touring vans on land he and his brother-in-law own at Snipe Lane, near Hurworth.
It follows a number of other previous applications which have been given permission in the area, some on appeal.
A planning statement issued with Mr Lee's application used published figures for more than 60 additional sites that were required by 2021 across Darlington to cite the need for the site.
The four pitches would be used by Mr Lee and his family, who have strong connections with the Darlington area.
They claim Gypsy status because they travel for four or five months each summer, principally for work reasons.
The application added: "All or at least the large majority of the land off this section of Snipe Lane is owned by local Gypsies, including the farm complex on Snipe Lane, which is partly laid out as a Gypsy site, the riding stables and a number of fields used as paddocks.
"In the vicinity two recent permissions have been granted for residential use."
After one of those sites was given approval, ward councillor Martin Swainston called for Darlington Borough Council to extend its existing sites rather than allowing smaller private plots in open countryside.
The council said consultation was taking place before the publication of a new report.
Foster Lee has submitted a planning application to site four mobile homes and six touring vans on land he and his brother-in-law own at Snipe Lane, near Hurworth.
It follows a number of other previous applications which have been given permission in the area, some on appeal.
A planning statement issued with Mr Lee's application used published figures for more than 60 additional sites that were required by 2021 across Darlington to cite the need for the site.
The four pitches would be used by Mr Lee and his family, who have strong connections with the Darlington area.
They claim Gypsy status because they travel for four or five months each summer, principally for work reasons.
The application added: "All or at least the large majority of the land off this section of Snipe Lane is owned by local Gypsies, including the farm complex on Snipe Lane, which is partly laid out as a Gypsy site, the riding stables and a number of fields used as paddocks.
"In the vicinity two recent permissions have been granted for residential use."
After one of those sites was given approval, ward councillor Martin Swainston called for Darlington Borough Council to extend its existing sites rather than allowing smaller private plots in open countryside.
The council said consultation was taking place before the publication of a new report.
Mole Valley decision on Leatherhead Travellers' future
A decision on whether Travellers should be moved from a site in Surrey or allowed to stay there is being made by Mole Valley councillors.
Members have been recommended to approve plans for the families to stay permanently at River Lane, Leatherhead.
A report said letting families stay was inappropriate for the green belt and would harm the character of the area.
But it said the council needed more pitches for travellers and had not been able to find an alternative site.
The report said the council had received a large number of responses both for and against the application.
Twenty six letters of support had come from people who wanted the Travellers to have a permanent home, keep the children in local schools and keep the "well-liked and respected" families attending local churches.
Letters of objection from 46 people and groups, including the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, included comments that the council should have found alternative sites, had failed to provide enough traveller pitches and that granting permission would be premature.
The plans are for permanent use of three sites on River Lane as Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites including paddocks and the planned construction of a stable block.
Councillors were considering the proposals on Wednesday evening
Members have been recommended to approve plans for the families to stay permanently at River Lane, Leatherhead.
A report said letting families stay was inappropriate for the green belt and would harm the character of the area.
But it said the council needed more pitches for travellers and had not been able to find an alternative site.
The report said the council had received a large number of responses both for and against the application.
Twenty six letters of support had come from people who wanted the Travellers to have a permanent home, keep the children in local schools and keep the "well-liked and respected" families attending local churches.
Letters of objection from 46 people and groups, including the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, included comments that the council should have found alternative sites, had failed to provide enough traveller pitches and that granting permission would be premature.
The plans are for permanent use of three sites on River Lane as Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites including paddocks and the planned construction of a stable block.
Councillors were considering the proposals on Wednesday evening
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