From the Daily Echo
COUNCILLORS in East Dorset have discussed the latest reports about the best sites for Travellers across the county.
The allocation plan will earmark sites for Gypsy, Traveller and travelling Show people to live.
During the district council’s community committee meeting, councillors looked at a consultation which took place across the county between November 2011 and February 2012.
The results have now been produced, and local councils are reviewing the results.
However, previous data relating to the need for some sites is now five years old, leading to concerns over whether it is still valid or not.
Cllr Spencer Flower, leader of the district council, said: “The council recognises the sensitivity of this subject, and it is important that we get this right.
“We support the government’s request for local authorities to carry out a detailed analysis of the number of sites which may be needed for gypsies and travellers.
“I am confident that this would help us reach conclusions about which sites, if any, should go forward to the next stage of the Site Allocations Development Plan.”
No decisions will be made about the sites previously consulted upon or any alternative sites until councils are sure of the demand for sites.
Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Whiteparish Gypsy site plan turned down - Wiltshire
From the Salisbury Journal
A GYPSY family have been refused permission to remain in a caravan on land in Whiteparish.
Temporary three-year permission for William Clarke and Tammy Beswick and their family to occupy a mobile home on land at Tricky’s Paddock, off Brickworth Road, was granted by a planning inspector in 2009.
But on Thursday members of Wiltshire Council’s southern area planning committee turned down an application to allow permanent occupation of the site and an extra caravan.
Cllr Richard Britton said: “The inspector has pointed the way for us very clearly. He used a very strong and pointed argument that the proposed development would harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
“He said permanent permission should not be granted, that this should not be perpetuated any longer than necessary and that temporary permission should not be seen as a precedent.”
The committee turned down the 2009 application amid scores of complaints from villagers concerned about the impact on the surrounding area and the safety of the exit onto the A27.
The council had been advised by planning officers to approve the plan in line with government guidance issued in 2006 that more Gypsy and Traveller sites are needed and local planning authorities should be flexible about where they are provided.
But the committee refused it on the grounds that the guidance should not override planning policy and objections raised on health and safety grounds.
Permission was then granted by the inspector following an inquiry into the decision.
At Thursday’s meeting the applicants’ representative argued that allowing the application would both provide a stable home for a family and go some way towards meeting Wiltshire Council’s agreed responsibility under the South Wiltshire Core Strategy to provide 10 residential and five transit Traveller sites in the Salisbury area by 2011.
An officer’s report to the committee said the council is already in breach of this policy as the sites have not been provided, and recommended that permission to remain at the site be extended for a further three years.
But cllr Mike Hewitt said: “Temporary is temporary, not a renewal.”
The committee voted five to two in favour of refusing the application, with two abstentions.
A GYPSY family have been refused permission to remain in a caravan on land in Whiteparish.
Temporary three-year permission for William Clarke and Tammy Beswick and their family to occupy a mobile home on land at Tricky’s Paddock, off Brickworth Road, was granted by a planning inspector in 2009.
But on Thursday members of Wiltshire Council’s southern area planning committee turned down an application to allow permanent occupation of the site and an extra caravan.
Cllr Richard Britton said: “The inspector has pointed the way for us very clearly. He used a very strong and pointed argument that the proposed development would harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
“He said permanent permission should not be granted, that this should not be perpetuated any longer than necessary and that temporary permission should not be seen as a precedent.”
The committee turned down the 2009 application amid scores of complaints from villagers concerned about the impact on the surrounding area and the safety of the exit onto the A27.
The council had been advised by planning officers to approve the plan in line with government guidance issued in 2006 that more Gypsy and Traveller sites are needed and local planning authorities should be flexible about where they are provided.
But the committee refused it on the grounds that the guidance should not override planning policy and objections raised on health and safety grounds.
Permission was then granted by the inspector following an inquiry into the decision.
At Thursday’s meeting the applicants’ representative argued that allowing the application would both provide a stable home for a family and go some way towards meeting Wiltshire Council’s agreed responsibility under the South Wiltshire Core Strategy to provide 10 residential and five transit Traveller sites in the Salisbury area by 2011.
An officer’s report to the committee said the council is already in breach of this policy as the sites have not been provided, and recommended that permission to remain at the site be extended for a further three years.
But cllr Mike Hewitt said: “Temporary is temporary, not a renewal.”
The committee voted five to two in favour of refusing the application, with two abstentions.
Monday, 19 November 2012
Council leader John Beesley: there will be no Traveller sites in Bournemouth - Dorset
From the Dorset Echo
A CIVIC chief is reassuring residents that Bournemouth will not provide a permanent site for Travellers, despite a report recommending a review of “shortlisted sites, sites worthy of further investigation and previously rejected sites”.
Council leader Cllr John Beesley has already ruled out four sites earmarked for Travellers in the town following a county-wide consultation and vociferous campaign by local residents against potential sites near Erlin Farm, Careys Road, Throop Road and Park Road.
The Joint Development Plan Document will be discussed at today’s Local Development Framework Steering Group meeting at the Town Hall.
Cllr Ron Whittaker, who opposed the three green belt sites, said: “The consultation report does not draw any conclusions on the representations received.
“That, in my opinion, sums up this whole process.”
He added: “The document does not come to any conclusion on any of the representations received over the last 12 months, in particular to our green belt sites and the Lansdowne site.”
Cllr Whittaker was relieved by Cllr Beesley’s assurances that the earmarked sites could not be pursued for “planning reasons,” but stressed: “In noting the contents of this document we must have a very clear recommendation to show these four sites are deleted.”
Responding to Cllr Whittaker’s concerns, Cllr Beesley said: “I am aware that other sites were suggested by the public as part of the consultation process but I must stress that there are no other sites to look at in Bournemouth.”
A CIVIC chief is reassuring residents that Bournemouth will not provide a permanent site for Travellers, despite a report recommending a review of “shortlisted sites, sites worthy of further investigation and previously rejected sites”.
Council leader Cllr John Beesley has already ruled out four sites earmarked for Travellers in the town following a county-wide consultation and vociferous campaign by local residents against potential sites near Erlin Farm, Careys Road, Throop Road and Park Road.
The Joint Development Plan Document will be discussed at today’s Local Development Framework Steering Group meeting at the Town Hall.
Cllr Ron Whittaker, who opposed the three green belt sites, said: “The consultation report does not draw any conclusions on the representations received.
“That, in my opinion, sums up this whole process.”
He added: “The document does not come to any conclusion on any of the representations received over the last 12 months, in particular to our green belt sites and the Lansdowne site.”
Cllr Whittaker was relieved by Cllr Beesley’s assurances that the earmarked sites could not be pursued for “planning reasons,” but stressed: “In noting the contents of this document we must have a very clear recommendation to show these four sites are deleted.”
Responding to Cllr Whittaker’s concerns, Cllr Beesley said: “I am aware that other sites were suggested by the public as part of the consultation process but I must stress that there are no other sites to look at in Bournemouth.”
Travellers’ site plan near Shropshire golf club sparks controversy
From the Shropshire Star
A new bid to build a Travellers’ site near a Shropshire golf club has sparked fresh controversy.
Travellers Jerry and Michelle Berry say their new application is significantly different to an unsuccessful bid lodged two years ago to develop the site opposite Henlle Park Golf Club at Gobowen. But the new bid has attracted further complaints about the development.
The scheme was started without planning permission in 2010.
The couple’s previous bid, which attracted more than 80 objections and was rejected by Shropshire Council, would have seen four chalets and four caravan pitches built.
The Berry family last month submitted a fresh bid for just one mobile home and one touring caravan pitch for the same site, which is a former rubbish tip. The family lodged the plans after claiming there was a shortage of Traveller sites in Shropshire.
They say they want to live in the Oswestry area, where they have local ties.
But a dozen objections against the fresh plan have already been lodged with Shropshire Council.
Objector Chris Hodges said: “With such a beautiful and complimentary structure at Henlle Park Golf Club, the site is far from adding to the natural surroundings.”
Henlle Park Golf Club member Jenny Willett said: “In my view, if you approve the site there will be future arguments as to whether the area has been approved for other Travellers to come and go as they please.”
Objector Terence Price said: “The siting of any so called Travellers’ site in the vicinity of the golf club and Lion Quays Hotel will be a blight on the landscape and in complete contrast to both these well established businesses.”
Councillor David Lloyd said: “In the light of a previously determined application that was rejected and subsequently confirmed at appeal, one cannot but oppose this inappropriate intrusion into open countryside.
“The lack of information, precise location and layout is also deplorable.”
Shropshire Council hopes to determine the new bid by December 10.
A new bid to build a Travellers’ site near a Shropshire golf club has sparked fresh controversy.
Travellers Jerry and Michelle Berry say their new application is significantly different to an unsuccessful bid lodged two years ago to develop the site opposite Henlle Park Golf Club at Gobowen. But the new bid has attracted further complaints about the development.
The scheme was started without planning permission in 2010.
The couple’s previous bid, which attracted more than 80 objections and was rejected by Shropshire Council, would have seen four chalets and four caravan pitches built.
The Berry family last month submitted a fresh bid for just one mobile home and one touring caravan pitch for the same site, which is a former rubbish tip. The family lodged the plans after claiming there was a shortage of Traveller sites in Shropshire.
They say they want to live in the Oswestry area, where they have local ties.
But a dozen objections against the fresh plan have already been lodged with Shropshire Council.
Objector Chris Hodges said: “With such a beautiful and complimentary structure at Henlle Park Golf Club, the site is far from adding to the natural surroundings.”
Henlle Park Golf Club member Jenny Willett said: “In my view, if you approve the site there will be future arguments as to whether the area has been approved for other Travellers to come and go as they please.”
Objector Terence Price said: “The siting of any so called Travellers’ site in the vicinity of the golf club and Lion Quays Hotel will be a blight on the landscape and in complete contrast to both these well established businesses.”
Councillor David Lloyd said: “In the light of a previously determined application that was rejected and subsequently confirmed at appeal, one cannot but oppose this inappropriate intrusion into open countryside.
“The lack of information, precise location and layout is also deplorable.”
Shropshire Council hopes to determine the new bid by December 10.
New short-term Traveller site set up by Leeds City Council - Leeds
From the Yorkshire Evening Post
The first temporary Traveller site to be authorised by Leeds City Council has been closed, with a new site causing a stir among businesses already.
A group with around 11 caravans and a number of vehicles have moved onto land previously occupied by Primrose High School on Dolly Lane, Harehills, after the pioneering stopping site in Bath Road, Holbeck, closed a week ago.
The Travellers have agreed to look after the land, which is near St James’s Hospital, ensure numbers are restricted and agree to a code of conduct.
But nearby businesses, which are mainly garages, have voiced their concerns after being told of the move without consultation.
One Dolly Lane business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The council have showed no thought to the impact this is going to have on all the local businesses next to the site in what is an already struggling climate.
“This will deter people from coming to this area now.”
Another garage owner added: “A lot could happen in three or four months. It could ruin me overnight.”
But after three months in Holbeck, the Travellers are set for a similar stay in Harehills.
Helen Jones, chief executive officer of Leeds Gipsy and Traveller Exchange, said: “It is just fantastic and I do think it requires a bit of effort but not any more effort than chasing around unauthorised, unmanaged camps.”
She said locals should “give it a chance”, stating that the Holbeck site led to both health benefits for Travellers and savings for the council.
Plans for 12 more permanent Traveller pitches at Cottingley Springs, funded by a £1m Government grant, are currently being drawn up by the council to house Leeds-based groups.
A council spokeswoman said: “Following the success of the Bath Road site, at which the Travellers abided by the code of conduct agreement, it was decided a further temporary site be arranged.
“The families will be allowed to stay at this location for a maximum of three months if they continue to abide by the agreement.”
She said the Holbeck site has now been cleansed and that unauthorised camps there will not be tolerated.
The first temporary Traveller site to be authorised by Leeds City Council has been closed, with a new site causing a stir among businesses already.
A group with around 11 caravans and a number of vehicles have moved onto land previously occupied by Primrose High School on Dolly Lane, Harehills, after the pioneering stopping site in Bath Road, Holbeck, closed a week ago.
The Travellers have agreed to look after the land, which is near St James’s Hospital, ensure numbers are restricted and agree to a code of conduct.
But nearby businesses, which are mainly garages, have voiced their concerns after being told of the move without consultation.
One Dolly Lane business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The council have showed no thought to the impact this is going to have on all the local businesses next to the site in what is an already struggling climate.
“This will deter people from coming to this area now.”
Another garage owner added: “A lot could happen in three or four months. It could ruin me overnight.”
But after three months in Holbeck, the Travellers are set for a similar stay in Harehills.
Helen Jones, chief executive officer of Leeds Gipsy and Traveller Exchange, said: “It is just fantastic and I do think it requires a bit of effort but not any more effort than chasing around unauthorised, unmanaged camps.”
She said locals should “give it a chance”, stating that the Holbeck site led to both health benefits for Travellers and savings for the council.
Plans for 12 more permanent Traveller pitches at Cottingley Springs, funded by a £1m Government grant, are currently being drawn up by the council to house Leeds-based groups.
A council spokeswoman said: “Following the success of the Bath Road site, at which the Travellers abided by the code of conduct agreement, it was decided a further temporary site be arranged.
“The families will be allowed to stay at this location for a maximum of three months if they continue to abide by the agreement.”
She said the Holbeck site has now been cleansed and that unauthorised camps there will not be tolerated.
Power cut staff flee Gypsies - Tayside
From the Sun
TERRIFIED energy workers fled dozens of angry Gypsies after they tried to turn off a dodgy electricity supply at the Travellers’ site.
The mob confronted Scottish and Southern Energy staff when they arrived to disconnect an illegal power link to several homes.
The panicked investigators had to summon cops, who escorted them back to Double Dykes in Perth to complete the job.
The drama came after SSE launched a probe following a tip-off — and discovered more than half the site’s 20 chalets, built with taxpayers’ cash, were bypassing their pre-pay meters.
The Scottish Sun has learned that some had been scamming the system since the site was re-opened in 2008, using thousands of pounds’ worth of power for free.
And last night a former resident said: “It has been one of the worst-kept secrets. Almost everyone in the site has rigged up their meters — and they have been doing it for years.”
An SSE spokeswoman admitted the staff were “accompanied” by police at last week’s incident.
She added: “We found unsafe connections and subsequently disconnected these properties. Following the work, the properties were reconnected and we will continue to monitor them. ”
Perth and Kinross Council spent more than £1million building the chalets at Double Dykes four years ago.
A Tayside Police spokeswoman said: “We attended the site to assist SSE”
TERRIFIED energy workers fled dozens of angry Gypsies after they tried to turn off a dodgy electricity supply at the Travellers’ site.
The mob confronted Scottish and Southern Energy staff when they arrived to disconnect an illegal power link to several homes.
The panicked investigators had to summon cops, who escorted them back to Double Dykes in Perth to complete the job.
The drama came after SSE launched a probe following a tip-off — and discovered more than half the site’s 20 chalets, built with taxpayers’ cash, were bypassing their pre-pay meters.
The Scottish Sun has learned that some had been scamming the system since the site was re-opened in 2008, using thousands of pounds’ worth of power for free.
And last night a former resident said: “It has been one of the worst-kept secrets. Almost everyone in the site has rigged up their meters — and they have been doing it for years.”
An SSE spokeswoman admitted the staff were “accompanied” by police at last week’s incident.
She added: “We found unsafe connections and subsequently disconnected these properties. Following the work, the properties were reconnected and we will continue to monitor them. ”
Perth and Kinross Council spent more than £1million building the chalets at Double Dykes four years ago.
A Tayside Police spokeswoman said: “We attended the site to assist SSE”
Arlesey traveller site causes anger
From Comet24
RESIDENTS in a town have expressed their anger after a group of Travellers moved onto a site which has yet to be given planning permission.
The Twin Acres site on Hitchin Road, Arlesey has had an influx of Travellers resulting in Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) issuing enforcement and breach of condition notices on the site.
There are currently four static caravans on site but only one of them has planning permission.
Plans have been submitted to CBC for four pitches, an amenity block and parking.
The contentious planning application is to be discussed at next Wednesday’s development management committee meeting at Priory House, Monks Walk, Shefford.
Chairman of Arlesey Residents’ Association (ARA), Hugh Harper, said: “I will be speaking at the meeting next week and will object to the plans which have been recommended for approval.
“It was agreed as part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) to have 10 pitches at the 197 Hitchin Road site and we feel that this is enough for Arlesey.”
Mr Harper added: “We feel that by giving the green light for the extra four pitches at the Twin Acres site will not stop there and there could be more applications submitted in the future which could make it all unmanageable.”
The ARA has leafleted the town asking residents to object to the application.
So far Mr Harper has received more than 500 letters objecting to the application which he will present to planning officers at next week’s meeting.
Arlesey Town Council chairman Nick Daniels said: “We deeply oppose any Gypsy or caravan sites. We already have one at 197 Hitchin Road and by granting this second site, it would lead to additional problems to access it, have a detrimental impact on the country environment and it is in total contradiction to the Mid-Bedfordshire and now Central Bedfordshire policy for Arlesey.”
Mr Daniels added that one thing that has upset residents in the town has been the lack of enforcement by CBC.
He said: “Despite the notices work has continued to take place on the Twin Acres site and no enforcement has taken place.”
Cllr Nigel Young from CBC said: “There is one pitch at Twin Acres. A planning application has been submitted seeking consent to replace the original caravan and add four additional caravan pitches, with an amenity block and associated parking and hardstanding.
“Conditions of the original planning permission for one site have been contravened so the council has issued an enforcement notice and a breach of conditions notice, which would seek to remove the unauthorised development from the site. These notices can be reassessed in the light of the development management committee’s decision next week.”
RESIDENTS in a town have expressed their anger after a group of Travellers moved onto a site which has yet to be given planning permission.
The Twin Acres site on Hitchin Road, Arlesey has had an influx of Travellers resulting in Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) issuing enforcement and breach of condition notices on the site.
There are currently four static caravans on site but only one of them has planning permission.
Plans have been submitted to CBC for four pitches, an amenity block and parking.
The contentious planning application is to be discussed at next Wednesday’s development management committee meeting at Priory House, Monks Walk, Shefford.
Chairman of Arlesey Residents’ Association (ARA), Hugh Harper, said: “I will be speaking at the meeting next week and will object to the plans which have been recommended for approval.
“It was agreed as part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) to have 10 pitches at the 197 Hitchin Road site and we feel that this is enough for Arlesey.”
Mr Harper added: “We feel that by giving the green light for the extra four pitches at the Twin Acres site will not stop there and there could be more applications submitted in the future which could make it all unmanageable.”
The ARA has leafleted the town asking residents to object to the application.
So far Mr Harper has received more than 500 letters objecting to the application which he will present to planning officers at next week’s meeting.
Arlesey Town Council chairman Nick Daniels said: “We deeply oppose any Gypsy or caravan sites. We already have one at 197 Hitchin Road and by granting this second site, it would lead to additional problems to access it, have a detrimental impact on the country environment and it is in total contradiction to the Mid-Bedfordshire and now Central Bedfordshire policy for Arlesey.”
Mr Daniels added that one thing that has upset residents in the town has been the lack of enforcement by CBC.
He said: “Despite the notices work has continued to take place on the Twin Acres site and no enforcement has taken place.”
Cllr Nigel Young from CBC said: “There is one pitch at Twin Acres. A planning application has been submitted seeking consent to replace the original caravan and add four additional caravan pitches, with an amenity block and associated parking and hardstanding.
“Conditions of the original planning permission for one site have been contravened so the council has issued an enforcement notice and a breach of conditions notice, which would seek to remove the unauthorised development from the site. These notices can be reassessed in the light of the development management committee’s decision next week.”
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Officers opposed to shortlisted Travellers' site - Glamorgan
From the South Wales Evening Post
A DECISION by Swansea Council to shortlist a field in Llansamlet for a second Travellers' site was opposed by some of its own officers, a report leaked to the Post has revealed.
The site in question is off junction 44 of the M4, on a field bordered by Peniel Green Road, Gwernllwynchwyth Road and the Swansea Vale "spine road".
In the council report from April this year, under a section headed Economic Development, officers said: "The site slopes steeply to the north, is highly visible to the main entrance to Swansea Vale, is dissected by high voltage cables and has no service connections.
"Its development for high quality permanent commercial land use is part of an ongoing strategy for the future regeneration of the Swansea Vale area. Its use for a permanent Travellers site should be resisted."
It was one of five sites short-listed earlier this year by a council task and finish group, comprising officers and councillors. Various criteria were used in this process.
The other four sites were at the old greyhound stadium, Cockett; the rear of Parc Melyn Mynach and the proposed cemetery, both in Gorseinon; and Milford Way in Penderry.
The shortlist emerged from a list of 19 potential second Travellers' sites in Swansea.
Nine of the 19 sites had objections under the Economic Development heading, including two of the five eventually shortlisted: the greyhound stadium and the aforementioned Llansamlet site. Llansamlet is meanwhile home to Swansea's authorised travellers' site at Pantyblwyd Road, which is full.
Councils must provide adequate accommodation for travellers and a report has said a second site is needed.
No final decisions have been made about where the second site is to be located, and the process by which the shortlist was arrived at is the subject of two independent reviews.
A council spokesman said the task and finish group had considered 1,006 sites "against set criteria".
He added: "Any sites taken forward for consideration need to meet these criteria. We will be launching a full public consultation which will give the public every opportunity to comment on the proposals."
A DECISION by Swansea Council to shortlist a field in Llansamlet for a second Travellers' site was opposed by some of its own officers, a report leaked to the Post has revealed.
The site in question is off junction 44 of the M4, on a field bordered by Peniel Green Road, Gwernllwynchwyth Road and the Swansea Vale "spine road".
In the council report from April this year, under a section headed Economic Development, officers said: "The site slopes steeply to the north, is highly visible to the main entrance to Swansea Vale, is dissected by high voltage cables and has no service connections.
"Its development for high quality permanent commercial land use is part of an ongoing strategy for the future regeneration of the Swansea Vale area. Its use for a permanent Travellers site should be resisted."
It was one of five sites short-listed earlier this year by a council task and finish group, comprising officers and councillors. Various criteria were used in this process.
The other four sites were at the old greyhound stadium, Cockett; the rear of Parc Melyn Mynach and the proposed cemetery, both in Gorseinon; and Milford Way in Penderry.
The shortlist emerged from a list of 19 potential second Travellers' sites in Swansea.
Nine of the 19 sites had objections under the Economic Development heading, including two of the five eventually shortlisted: the greyhound stadium and the aforementioned Llansamlet site. Llansamlet is meanwhile home to Swansea's authorised travellers' site at Pantyblwyd Road, which is full.
Councils must provide adequate accommodation for travellers and a report has said a second site is needed.
No final decisions have been made about where the second site is to be located, and the process by which the shortlist was arrived at is the subject of two independent reviews.
A council spokesman said the task and finish group had considered 1,006 sites "against set criteria".
He added: "Any sites taken forward for consideration need to meet these criteria. We will be launching a full public consultation which will give the public every opportunity to comment on the proposals."
Saturday, 17 November 2012
Motorists forced to park illegally after Travellers set up camp - Cambridgeshire
From the Peterborough Telegraph
A number of motorists were fined after being forced to park on double yellow lines because Travellers had set up camp in a car park.
It is believed that around 20 parking tickets were issued to cars parked illegally near Peterborough Regional Swimming Pool on Thursday evening.
However, the pool’s car park had been entered by a number of Travellers earlier in the week, meaning that motorists were unable to use the facility.
Peterborough City Council, which operates the pool’s car park confirmed the incidents and said that anyone issued with a fine will be able to have it rescinded.
A city council spokeswoman said: “A number of motorists received parking fines on Thursday night after leaving their vehicles in contravention of various parking restrictions around the Regional Swimming Pool.
“We quickly realised today that this was because they were unable to use the nearby car park because of a Traveller encampment.
“Anyone who received a fine because they genuinely could not park in this car park will not be fined and we are actively addressing this problem.
“We ask anyone who received a penalty notice for this reason to contact our parking enforcement team as soon as possible on (01733) 747474.”
A number of motorists were fined after being forced to park on double yellow lines because Travellers had set up camp in a car park.
It is believed that around 20 parking tickets were issued to cars parked illegally near Peterborough Regional Swimming Pool on Thursday evening.
However, the pool’s car park had been entered by a number of Travellers earlier in the week, meaning that motorists were unable to use the facility.
Peterborough City Council, which operates the pool’s car park confirmed the incidents and said that anyone issued with a fine will be able to have it rescinded.
A city council spokeswoman said: “A number of motorists received parking fines on Thursday night after leaving their vehicles in contravention of various parking restrictions around the Regional Swimming Pool.
“We quickly realised today that this was because they were unable to use the nearby car park because of a Traveller encampment.
“Anyone who received a fine because they genuinely could not park in this car park will not be fined and we are actively addressing this problem.
“We ask anyone who received a penalty notice for this reason to contact our parking enforcement team as soon as possible on (01733) 747474.”
Ormiston: Bringing together Gypsy and Traveller communities - Norfolk
From the Norwich Evening News
Ormiston Children and Families’ Trust prides itself on working for and with the people that others forget. In the fourth part of our series, MARK SHIELDS finds out about its ground-breaking work with Norfolk’s Gypsy and Traveller community.
Times are changing for Gypsy and Traveller communities.
The mounting difficulties in finding work, accessing benefits and securing housing that have hit the wider community in recent years have been felt even more keenly by Gypsies and Travellers.
Add the impenetrable jungle of local government bureaucracy, literacy problems and frequent prejudice towards their way of life, it can be easy to see why many people feel they are living in a world apart.
Ormiston Children and Families’ Trust’s unique work with Gypsies and Travellers aims to bring the two closer together.
By working alongside families, teams from the Ormiston Travellers Initiative Norfolk help them to navigate the system of red tape that can so often be a barrier, getting them the vital health, education and financial services that they need.
Mark Proctor, Ormiston’s services director, said the charity worked as a trusted link between Travellers and authorities.
“Many families don’t realise the services that are available to them – the benefits, the healthcare,” he said.
“Our first job is to make sure they understand what’s out there; the second is to help them to access it.
“That could be filling out forms to register them with a doctors’ surgery, and helping them understand their prescription, or explaining what they are entitled to.
“The benefits system can be a complete nightmare for you if you can’t read or write, if you don’t understand it or if you don’t understand how long things can take.
“We give them the options, and they choose what to do.”
Housing is often the biggest problem for Gypsy and Traveller families, made more difficult by often hostile reception from the resident community.
Julie Mobbs, area manager for Norfolk, said housing issues were often not as simple as made out.
“A lot of Travellers and Gypsies don’t want to go into council-run sites,” she said. “It’s like trying to get people to move into council estates.”
That shortage of viable sites for Travellers also means that many are moving into permanent homes, often reluctantly, as they look to improve their prospects.
“I think that they have recognised that things have to change,” said Mrs Mobbs.
“They don’t want to lose their cultural background, but a lot of them have had to move into houses.
“They want to access healthcare and they want to work. Things are different to how they were years ago.”
One thing that has not changed is the ingrained prejudice families encounter, which is still an obstacle to the successful integration of traveller families into their surrounding communities.
“It’s difficult to find somewhere where people don’t complain. As soon as they realise they are Gypsies or Travellers, they complain to the council – even though they have not met them and don’t know them,” said Mrs Mobbs.
The job of overturning those stereotypes has become more difficult recently, with the coverage of the evictions at Dale Farm in Essex and television programmes such as Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
“Most of the families we deal with have worked all their lives, they’ve paid tax all their lives, but they haven’t signed on,” said Mrs Mobbs.
As well as helping them through paperwork problems, Ormiston also works with those who suffer with domestic violence in the family.
“There is a different culture among Travellers and Gypsies, but that is no reason for them to have to put up with domestic violence,” she added.
“We work closely with families, and have even managed to get people into safe houses in extreme situations.”
Slowly, the world of Travellers and Gypsy families is evolving, said Mrs Mobbs, and Ormiston’s aim is to support them through that transition.
“Most families want their children to go school now, they want them to learn to read and write.
“Years ago they would travel around working the land, but now that there’s hardly any work, it’s not the same.
“They want their children to be able to manage for themselves.”
Ormiston also works with young Travellers and Gypsies specifically to expand their educational horizons.
Youngsters’ time in school can often be disrupted as their families move around, and the proportion who continue to higher education is lower than in mainstream society.
The charity’s projects such as Life Through a Lens (see panel) aim to deliver the twin benefit of offering young people a recognised qualification they can build upon, and promoting understanding between Gypsy, Traveller and other communities.
Tomorrow, how you can do your bit for the Ormiston Children and Families’ Trust
Ormiston Children and Families’ Trust prides itself on working for and with the people that others forget. In the fourth part of our series, MARK SHIELDS finds out about its ground-breaking work with Norfolk’s Gypsy and Traveller community.
Times are changing for Gypsy and Traveller communities.
The mounting difficulties in finding work, accessing benefits and securing housing that have hit the wider community in recent years have been felt even more keenly by Gypsies and Travellers.
Add the impenetrable jungle of local government bureaucracy, literacy problems and frequent prejudice towards their way of life, it can be easy to see why many people feel they are living in a world apart.
Ormiston Children and Families’ Trust’s unique work with Gypsies and Travellers aims to bring the two closer together.
By working alongside families, teams from the Ormiston Travellers Initiative Norfolk help them to navigate the system of red tape that can so often be a barrier, getting them the vital health, education and financial services that they need.
Mark Proctor, Ormiston’s services director, said the charity worked as a trusted link between Travellers and authorities.
“Many families don’t realise the services that are available to them – the benefits, the healthcare,” he said.
“Our first job is to make sure they understand what’s out there; the second is to help them to access it.
“That could be filling out forms to register them with a doctors’ surgery, and helping them understand their prescription, or explaining what they are entitled to.
“The benefits system can be a complete nightmare for you if you can’t read or write, if you don’t understand it or if you don’t understand how long things can take.
“We give them the options, and they choose what to do.”
Housing is often the biggest problem for Gypsy and Traveller families, made more difficult by often hostile reception from the resident community.
Julie Mobbs, area manager for Norfolk, said housing issues were often not as simple as made out.
“A lot of Travellers and Gypsies don’t want to go into council-run sites,” she said. “It’s like trying to get people to move into council estates.”
That shortage of viable sites for Travellers also means that many are moving into permanent homes, often reluctantly, as they look to improve their prospects.
“I think that they have recognised that things have to change,” said Mrs Mobbs.
“They don’t want to lose their cultural background, but a lot of them have had to move into houses.
“They want to access healthcare and they want to work. Things are different to how they were years ago.”
One thing that has not changed is the ingrained prejudice families encounter, which is still an obstacle to the successful integration of traveller families into their surrounding communities.
“It’s difficult to find somewhere where people don’t complain. As soon as they realise they are Gypsies or Travellers, they complain to the council – even though they have not met them and don’t know them,” said Mrs Mobbs.
The job of overturning those stereotypes has become more difficult recently, with the coverage of the evictions at Dale Farm in Essex and television programmes such as Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
“Most of the families we deal with have worked all their lives, they’ve paid tax all their lives, but they haven’t signed on,” said Mrs Mobbs.
As well as helping them through paperwork problems, Ormiston also works with those who suffer with domestic violence in the family.
“There is a different culture among Travellers and Gypsies, but that is no reason for them to have to put up with domestic violence,” she added.
“We work closely with families, and have even managed to get people into safe houses in extreme situations.”
Slowly, the world of Travellers and Gypsy families is evolving, said Mrs Mobbs, and Ormiston’s aim is to support them through that transition.
“Most families want their children to go school now, they want them to learn to read and write.
“Years ago they would travel around working the land, but now that there’s hardly any work, it’s not the same.
“They want their children to be able to manage for themselves.”
Ormiston also works with young Travellers and Gypsies specifically to expand their educational horizons.
Youngsters’ time in school can often be disrupted as their families move around, and the proportion who continue to higher education is lower than in mainstream society.
The charity’s projects such as Life Through a Lens (see panel) aim to deliver the twin benefit of offering young people a recognised qualification they can build upon, and promoting understanding between Gypsy, Traveller and other communities.
Tomorrow, how you can do your bit for the Ormiston Children and Families’ Trust
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)