From Kirklees Council
Kirklees Council has applied to the courts to remove a Traveller encampment at Princess Mary Playing Fields in Littletown.
The court date has now been set at Huddersfield County Court for December 17.
Cllr Shabir Pandor, Cabinet member for Resources, said: “The council is committed to dealing with this issue quickly for the benefit of local residents.
“There have been encampments across North Kirklees this year and the council always works quickly to deal with them by applying for possession through the courts.
“I fully understand the disruption that Travellers can cause and I am determined that this will be kept to the minimum we can achieve.”
Friday, 13 December 2013
More Gypsy sites on agenda for Sheffield - Yorkshire
From the Sheffield Telegraph
Sheffield is to explore potential locations for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the city.
It is under pressure from the Government to assess the level of need, how it is currently being met and to produce a plan to address the situation.
A study earlier this year indicated 50 extra pitches were required. Now the council is being told it must firm up its strategy.
Public consultation will be held on what has proved to be a contentious issue in the past.
Sheffield is to explore potential locations for Gypsy and Traveller sites in the city.
It is under pressure from the Government to assess the level of need, how it is currently being met and to produce a plan to address the situation.
A study earlier this year indicated 50 extra pitches were required. Now the council is being told it must firm up its strategy.
Public consultation will be held on what has proved to be a contentious issue in the past.
Public inquiry to be held over Gypsy site in Fordingbridge - Wiltshire
From the Salisbury Journal
A PUBLIC inquiry into whether two Gypsy brothers and their families should be allowed to live on agricultural land near Fordingbridge will be held on April 29.
The plan by Felix and Miles Connors attracted 300 letters of protest from local people who said they feared it would set a dangerous precedent, and may lead to dozens of caravans on the rural spot, off Marl Lane.
Planners agreed, and refused the plan. But the brothers appealed and now a planning inspector appointed by the Government will hear both sides at Fordingbridge Town Hall from 10am on April 29. The hearing is expected to last two days.
The brothers want to use the land as a Gypsy site for two mobile homes, create a new access and entrance gates and site an amenity block, a stable block, hardstanding and parking there.
But residents say the plan would create a hazard for dog walkers, children and horseriders who use the bridleways around the site, and that it would be an unattractive addition to a well-loved and well-used landscape.
Several commenters expressed the fear that approving the plan would lead to an influx of travelling families and become “another Dale Farm”.
The brothers, who own the greenfield land, have been living at the site with their families since May and are also appealing against an enforcement notice from the district council, to move off the land by December 26.
The Connors brothers say they want to put down roots, enabling their children to attend regular school and have access to NHS care.
However, the application sparked an unprecedented wave of objections from people claiming that more than the two caravans proposed would be parked on the site if the scheme was approved.
Copies of appeal documents are available for inspection at www.newforest.gov.uk/planning or at the district council’s Lyndhurst offices.
A PUBLIC inquiry into whether two Gypsy brothers and their families should be allowed to live on agricultural land near Fordingbridge will be held on April 29.
The plan by Felix and Miles Connors attracted 300 letters of protest from local people who said they feared it would set a dangerous precedent, and may lead to dozens of caravans on the rural spot, off Marl Lane.
Planners agreed, and refused the plan. But the brothers appealed and now a planning inspector appointed by the Government will hear both sides at Fordingbridge Town Hall from 10am on April 29. The hearing is expected to last two days.
The brothers want to use the land as a Gypsy site for two mobile homes, create a new access and entrance gates and site an amenity block, a stable block, hardstanding and parking there.
But residents say the plan would create a hazard for dog walkers, children and horseriders who use the bridleways around the site, and that it would be an unattractive addition to a well-loved and well-used landscape.
Several commenters expressed the fear that approving the plan would lead to an influx of travelling families and become “another Dale Farm”.
The brothers, who own the greenfield land, have been living at the site with their families since May and are also appealing against an enforcement notice from the district council, to move off the land by December 26.
The Connors brothers say they want to put down roots, enabling their children to attend regular school and have access to NHS care.
However, the application sparked an unprecedented wave of objections from people claiming that more than the two caravans proposed would be parked on the site if the scheme was approved.
Copies of appeal documents are available for inspection at www.newforest.gov.uk/planning or at the district council’s Lyndhurst offices.
Thursday, 12 December 2013
Councillors defend decision to use taxpayers' money to fund new Travellers' site - Berkshire
From the Royal Borough Observer
THE decision to fork out £350,000 of taxpayers’ money to help build a new Travellers’ site has been defended.
The Royal Borough has entered into a 99-year lease at £30,000 per year for land at Datchet Common Horton Road, to build a site for 10 new gypsy and Traveller pitches.
Windsor UKIP councillor Tom Bursnall questioned whether it was 'morally equitable’ to spend taxpayers’ money on the site at a full council meeting on Tuesday.
His question was to Cllr David Coppinger, the cabinet member for adult services which includes housing, who said: “We have a legal requirement to provide pitches.
“We have only one site available. The owner doesn’t want to develop it. I think it’s good value for residents’ money [given the legal requirement].”
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Bursnall said: “He answered the question to be fair, but the obligation is to find the pitches, not to fund them.”
The Department for Communities and Local Government has called in the planning application for the site with a local inquiry to be held on a date yet to be set.
Bursnall: “There will be money being spent on it for four generations.”
At a meeting of Datchet Parish Council on Monday last week (2/12), Cllr Ewan Larcombe called for a parish poll on whether residents wanted the site, which was rejected on the grounds of cost though Cllr Larcombe has offered to fund the poll out of his own pocket.
THE decision to fork out £350,000 of taxpayers’ money to help build a new Travellers’ site has been defended.
The Royal Borough has entered into a 99-year lease at £30,000 per year for land at Datchet Common Horton Road, to build a site for 10 new gypsy and Traveller pitches.
Windsor UKIP councillor Tom Bursnall questioned whether it was 'morally equitable’ to spend taxpayers’ money on the site at a full council meeting on Tuesday.
His question was to Cllr David Coppinger, the cabinet member for adult services which includes housing, who said: “We have a legal requirement to provide pitches.
“We have only one site available. The owner doesn’t want to develop it. I think it’s good value for residents’ money [given the legal requirement].”
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Bursnall said: “He answered the question to be fair, but the obligation is to find the pitches, not to fund them.”
The Department for Communities and Local Government has called in the planning application for the site with a local inquiry to be held on a date yet to be set.
Bursnall: “There will be money being spent on it for four generations.”
At a meeting of Datchet Parish Council on Monday last week (2/12), Cllr Ewan Larcombe called for a parish poll on whether residents wanted the site, which was rejected on the grounds of cost though Cllr Larcombe has offered to fund the poll out of his own pocket.
Conference: improving the outcomes for offenders from the Gypsy and Traveller communities
From Friends Families and Travellers
Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) and the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) are hosting a conference on 21 January 2014 focused on how we can improve outcomes for offenders from the Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Gypsies and Travellers make up around 0.5% of the population of the UK but around 5% of the prison population.
With the huge changes underway across the offender management system, with the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms of the Probation Service, there is a risk that the needs of these groups may not be met.
The aim of this conference is to look at the needs of Gypsy and Traveller offenders and how we can improve outcomes for these groups under the new arrangements.
This will be of interest to commissioners, providers and equalities officers. We are keen to see prime providers, voluntary organisations and Gypsy and Traveller community groups.
A report from the event will be produced and sent to the Ministry Of Justice.
Programme:
10.30-11.00 Registration and coffee
11.00-11.10 Chair’s opening remarks and introductions to speakers
11.10-11.30 Speaker from the National Offender Management Service- the current position regarding offenders from the Traveller and Gypsy communities.
11.30- 11.50 Joseph Cottrell-Boyce and Conn MacGabhann, Traveller Equality Project – Education for Travellers in prison.
11.50- 12.10 Chris Whitwell, Friends Families and Travellers- FFT’s work with Gypsy and Traveller offenders and their families at HMP Lewes and HMP Ford.
12.10-12.40 Questions and answers
12.40- 1.30 Lunch
1.30- 1.50 Zoe James, University of Plymouth.
1.50- 2.10 Yvonne MacNamara, Traveller Movement – Putting Policy into Practice.
2.10-2.30 Aleta Blackall and prisoners– HMP Ford- on the good practice work at Ford with Gypsy and Traveller prisoners.
2.30-2.50 Questions and Answers.
2 .50- 3.00 Chair’s rounding up and end of day.
The event will be at BTEG’s office; 200a Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JP.
To book a place email Emma Nuttall , FFT, at emma@gypsy-traveller.org.
Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) and the Black Training and Enterprise Group (BTEG) are hosting a conference on 21 January 2014 focused on how we can improve outcomes for offenders from the Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Gypsies and Travellers make up around 0.5% of the population of the UK but around 5% of the prison population.
With the huge changes underway across the offender management system, with the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms of the Probation Service, there is a risk that the needs of these groups may not be met.
The aim of this conference is to look at the needs of Gypsy and Traveller offenders and how we can improve outcomes for these groups under the new arrangements.
This will be of interest to commissioners, providers and equalities officers. We are keen to see prime providers, voluntary organisations and Gypsy and Traveller community groups.
A report from the event will be produced and sent to the Ministry Of Justice.
Programme:
10.30-11.00 Registration and coffee
11.00-11.10 Chair’s opening remarks and introductions to speakers
11.10-11.30 Speaker from the National Offender Management Service- the current position regarding offenders from the Traveller and Gypsy communities.
11.30- 11.50 Joseph Cottrell-Boyce and Conn MacGabhann, Traveller Equality Project – Education for Travellers in prison.
11.50- 12.10 Chris Whitwell, Friends Families and Travellers- FFT’s work with Gypsy and Traveller offenders and their families at HMP Lewes and HMP Ford.
12.10-12.40 Questions and answers
12.40- 1.30 Lunch
1.30- 1.50 Zoe James, University of Plymouth.
1.50- 2.10 Yvonne MacNamara, Traveller Movement – Putting Policy into Practice.
2.10-2.30 Aleta Blackall and prisoners– HMP Ford- on the good practice work at Ford with Gypsy and Traveller prisoners.
2.30-2.50 Questions and Answers.
2 .50- 3.00 Chair’s rounding up and end of day.
The event will be at BTEG’s office; 200a Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JP.
To book a place email Emma Nuttall , FFT, at emma@gypsy-traveller.org.
Challenging hatred towards Gypsies, Travellers and Roma: A missed opportunity
From the International Network of Hate Studies
In recent weeks in the UK, the ex-Home Secretary and current Member of Parliament, David Blunkett, has voiced his concerns regarding the integration of Roma communities in to his constituency in northern England. He has even insinuated that riots may ensue due to the community tensions that he suggests have been enflamed by the failure of Roma ‘to adhere to our standards, and to our way of behaving’ (BBC, 2013), which he relates specifically to Roma communities failure to deal with their rubbish appropriately and their tendency to commune on the streets to socialise. Subsequently a raft of stories have emerged in the news media, on social networks, blogs and discussion lists that denigrate Roma communities as dirty, noisy and work-shy. Added to this has come a moral panic regarding the opening of EU borders to Romanian (and Bulgarian) citizens, who are commonly misunderstood to be Roma people, that has resulted in the British Prime Minister announcing welfare limitations for new migrants to the UK. And so, Roma people find themselves as subject to public fears and criticisms that are legitimised by political rhetoric that augments community tensions, rather than resolves them. Roma are placed in a hateful position, wherein the likelihood of crimes being committed against them on the basis of bigotry increases and their trust in the system to protect them diminishes.
This is familiar territory for those of us who have spent many years researching the prejudice experienced by Gypsies, Travellers and Roma in Europe (James, 2014). The stigmatisation of these communities has occurred for centuries throughout Europe and is generally understood as due to the failure of sedentary society to accept and live alongside nomadic communities. The identity of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma has remained bound to their traditional nomadism despite the fact that it has become increasingly difficult for communities to travel, often because their ability to do so has been limited by state policies of integration and excessive policing of their movement (James, 2013).
The lack of public empathy towards Gypsies, Travellers and Roma is augmented by the increasing distance between ‘us’ and ‘them’ that is partly due to the void of public knowledge of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities. This is exacerbated by their cultural reticence to speak of bad times or to trust and talk to people in authority. An excellent example of the irony of the stigma attached to Gypsies, Travellers and Roma is the key tool used to attack them: the notion of them as ‘dirty’. The association of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma with dirt and pollution suggests that they are tainted in some way and therefore dangerous, as opposed to being clean, unpolluted, pure and thus safe. In reality one of the most binding aspects of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities is their cultural requirement to follow strict rules of hygiene, based on their historic nomadic lifestyles. These rules dictate how they live, work and socialise and they inform moral codes of behaviour. It is all very well for David Blunkett, the ill-informed news media or the general public to perceive the homes of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma as dirty or lacking in rubbish management externally, but the reality is that the rules of hygiene in such communities require cleanliness inside the home, not necessarily externally to it. Further, research has shown that fly-tipping near Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities’ is common and highly problematic (Southern and James, 2006). Add to this the problems that Gypsies, Travellers and Roma have in accessing sufficient rubbish removal services from local authorities and it can be seen that the construction of their communities as dirty is a false premise.
Despite the plethora of television programmes recently that claim to inform the public about Gypsies, Travellers and Roma lives, they have simply functioned to perpetuate existent stereotypes, particularly by exotifying aspects of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma cultures. Again, the distance between ‘them’ and ‘us’ is exacerbated by these programmes which suggest that their cultural goals are exceptional. To return to David Blunkett’s critique of Roma communities for congregating in their streets to talk and socialise, it seems particularly odd that in these times when the British middle classes rue the loss of ‘neighbourliness’ and ‘community’ they concomitantly question Roma communities who are simply partaking in community living, sharing their lives in a public and transparent fashion. Indeed, the ties of family are another unifying cultural signifier of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities that Britons lament the loss of in their own communities. Perhaps then, David Blunkett should have highlighted the similarities between the communities in his constituency and challenged local services to resolve waste management problems. He could have taken this opportunity to inform the public about the Roma community from a positive perspective, instead of calling for their assimilation. He could have gone some way to fill the void of public knowledge about Gypsies, Travellers and Roma and in doing so could have reduced public fears, built community ties and challenged bigotry and prejudice.
Gypsies, Travellers and Roma are the largest minority in Europe, but they experience a disproportionately high number of hate crimes as well as prejudice and discrimination from local, regional, national and supra-national bodies, agencies and organisations that is increasingly referred to as ‘anti-Gypsyism’ or ‘Romaphobia’. The EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020 has begun the process of monitoring hate towards Gypsies, Travellers and Roma throughout Europe and lobbies for change from the top of states down, as do minority rights organisations from the bottom of states up. However, it is within states that change is slow to take place and it is in the power of politicians, such as David Blunkett to shift the discourse surrounding Gypsies, Travellers and Roma to an informed discussion that will have a positive impact that challenges hate, rather than augments it.
For further reading see:
James, Z. (2014) ‘Hate Crimes Against Gypsies, Travellers and Roma in Europe’ In: Hall, N. Routledge International Handbook on Hate Crime. Abingdon: Routledge
James, Z. (2013) Offenders or Victims?: An exploration of Gypsies and Travellers as a policing paradox. In: Phillips, C. and Webster, C. (eds) New Directions in Race, Ethnicity and Crime. Abingdon: Routledge.
Southern, R. and James, Z. (2006), Devon-wide Gypsy & Traveller Housing Needs Assessment. Plymouth: University of Plymouth.
In recent weeks in the UK, the ex-Home Secretary and current Member of Parliament, David Blunkett, has voiced his concerns regarding the integration of Roma communities in to his constituency in northern England. He has even insinuated that riots may ensue due to the community tensions that he suggests have been enflamed by the failure of Roma ‘to adhere to our standards, and to our way of behaving’ (BBC, 2013), which he relates specifically to Roma communities failure to deal with their rubbish appropriately and their tendency to commune on the streets to socialise. Subsequently a raft of stories have emerged in the news media, on social networks, blogs and discussion lists that denigrate Roma communities as dirty, noisy and work-shy. Added to this has come a moral panic regarding the opening of EU borders to Romanian (and Bulgarian) citizens, who are commonly misunderstood to be Roma people, that has resulted in the British Prime Minister announcing welfare limitations for new migrants to the UK. And so, Roma people find themselves as subject to public fears and criticisms that are legitimised by political rhetoric that augments community tensions, rather than resolves them. Roma are placed in a hateful position, wherein the likelihood of crimes being committed against them on the basis of bigotry increases and their trust in the system to protect them diminishes.
This is familiar territory for those of us who have spent many years researching the prejudice experienced by Gypsies, Travellers and Roma in Europe (James, 2014). The stigmatisation of these communities has occurred for centuries throughout Europe and is generally understood as due to the failure of sedentary society to accept and live alongside nomadic communities. The identity of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma has remained bound to their traditional nomadism despite the fact that it has become increasingly difficult for communities to travel, often because their ability to do so has been limited by state policies of integration and excessive policing of their movement (James, 2013).
The lack of public empathy towards Gypsies, Travellers and Roma is augmented by the increasing distance between ‘us’ and ‘them’ that is partly due to the void of public knowledge of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities. This is exacerbated by their cultural reticence to speak of bad times or to trust and talk to people in authority. An excellent example of the irony of the stigma attached to Gypsies, Travellers and Roma is the key tool used to attack them: the notion of them as ‘dirty’. The association of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma with dirt and pollution suggests that they are tainted in some way and therefore dangerous, as opposed to being clean, unpolluted, pure and thus safe. In reality one of the most binding aspects of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities is their cultural requirement to follow strict rules of hygiene, based on their historic nomadic lifestyles. These rules dictate how they live, work and socialise and they inform moral codes of behaviour. It is all very well for David Blunkett, the ill-informed news media or the general public to perceive the homes of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma as dirty or lacking in rubbish management externally, but the reality is that the rules of hygiene in such communities require cleanliness inside the home, not necessarily externally to it. Further, research has shown that fly-tipping near Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities’ is common and highly problematic (Southern and James, 2006). Add to this the problems that Gypsies, Travellers and Roma have in accessing sufficient rubbish removal services from local authorities and it can be seen that the construction of their communities as dirty is a false premise.
Despite the plethora of television programmes recently that claim to inform the public about Gypsies, Travellers and Roma lives, they have simply functioned to perpetuate existent stereotypes, particularly by exotifying aspects of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma cultures. Again, the distance between ‘them’ and ‘us’ is exacerbated by these programmes which suggest that their cultural goals are exceptional. To return to David Blunkett’s critique of Roma communities for congregating in their streets to talk and socialise, it seems particularly odd that in these times when the British middle classes rue the loss of ‘neighbourliness’ and ‘community’ they concomitantly question Roma communities who are simply partaking in community living, sharing their lives in a public and transparent fashion. Indeed, the ties of family are another unifying cultural signifier of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities that Britons lament the loss of in their own communities. Perhaps then, David Blunkett should have highlighted the similarities between the communities in his constituency and challenged local services to resolve waste management problems. He could have taken this opportunity to inform the public about the Roma community from a positive perspective, instead of calling for their assimilation. He could have gone some way to fill the void of public knowledge about Gypsies, Travellers and Roma and in doing so could have reduced public fears, built community ties and challenged bigotry and prejudice.
Gypsies, Travellers and Roma are the largest minority in Europe, but they experience a disproportionately high number of hate crimes as well as prejudice and discrimination from local, regional, national and supra-national bodies, agencies and organisations that is increasingly referred to as ‘anti-Gypsyism’ or ‘Romaphobia’. The EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies up to 2020 has begun the process of monitoring hate towards Gypsies, Travellers and Roma throughout Europe and lobbies for change from the top of states down, as do minority rights organisations from the bottom of states up. However, it is within states that change is slow to take place and it is in the power of politicians, such as David Blunkett to shift the discourse surrounding Gypsies, Travellers and Roma to an informed discussion that will have a positive impact that challenges hate, rather than augments it.
For further reading see:
James, Z. (2014) ‘Hate Crimes Against Gypsies, Travellers and Roma in Europe’ In: Hall, N. Routledge International Handbook on Hate Crime. Abingdon: Routledge
James, Z. (2013) Offenders or Victims?: An exploration of Gypsies and Travellers as a policing paradox. In: Phillips, C. and Webster, C. (eds) New Directions in Race, Ethnicity and Crime. Abingdon: Routledge.
Southern, R. and James, Z. (2006), Devon-wide Gypsy & Traveller Housing Needs Assessment. Plymouth: University of Plymouth.
Residents’ fears over Torfaen Traveller site - Gwent
The South Wales Argus
A CAMPAIGNER has slammed Torfaen council over proposals to create a Gypsy “ghetto” in Cwmynyscoy, under the Local Development Plan (LDP) given the go ahead last week.
Adrian Bold, one of the members of protest group Cwmynyscoy Action Group (CwmNAG) said the ward – the smallest in the borough – had been chosen because it would show the “least resistance”.
Under the LDP, existing provisions for Travellers will be extended in the area, with 32 new pitches at Shepherds Hill, on an unused football pitch at the Race, and ten more at a privately-owned site, Rose Cottage. More than 60 caravans are already estimated to be housed in the area.
Mr Bold said democracy had gone “out the window” with the decision.
“This is not an issue with the Gypsies, who have been here longer than I have,” said the 65-year-old, who lives less than half a mile from the two existing sites," he said. “I am not at war with them, but with the council.
“The residents here are being made to suffer to suit everyone else. We are the weakest ward in the borough, and one of the most deprived.
“I understand there has to be provisions for Travellers but housing them all in one place will do nothing to improve the situation here.”
Mr Bold, who said he had made significant representation in objection to both the council and the inspector who approved the plans for adoption, said his problem was with Travellers who had no interest in the area, citing problems of noise, mess, and illegal caravan parking.
He called it a “damage limitation exercise” for the council.
“The plan has almost unanimous support because no-one else wants it in their back yard,” he added.
“It’s a case of put up with this or get driven out for us.”
The plans will see undermined land, currently occupied by an unused football pitch at the Race, remediated at a cost of around £3.5 million.
It is intended to address overcrowding, with more than 100 residents already living on 28 permanent residential pitches at Shepherds Hill.
The LDP was adopted at an extraordinary full council meeting held on Tuesday December 3 and which will shape the future of development across Torfaen.
CwmNAG members have held meetings, protests and demonstrations over the issue.
They have been supported by Cwmynyscoy Ward councillor Neil Waite throughout their campaign.
Cllr Waite said: “It’s disappointing for the ward. We are probably the most deprived area in the borough and it’s another step backwards. Even the Gypsies at Shepherd’s Hill voiced opposition to the plan. But the decision went against us and now we have to live with it.”
A CAMPAIGNER has slammed Torfaen council over proposals to create a Gypsy “ghetto” in Cwmynyscoy, under the Local Development Plan (LDP) given the go ahead last week.
Adrian Bold, one of the members of protest group Cwmynyscoy Action Group (CwmNAG) said the ward – the smallest in the borough – had been chosen because it would show the “least resistance”.
Under the LDP, existing provisions for Travellers will be extended in the area, with 32 new pitches at Shepherds Hill, on an unused football pitch at the Race, and ten more at a privately-owned site, Rose Cottage. More than 60 caravans are already estimated to be housed in the area.
Mr Bold said democracy had gone “out the window” with the decision.
“This is not an issue with the Gypsies, who have been here longer than I have,” said the 65-year-old, who lives less than half a mile from the two existing sites," he said. “I am not at war with them, but with the council.
“The residents here are being made to suffer to suit everyone else. We are the weakest ward in the borough, and one of the most deprived.
“I understand there has to be provisions for Travellers but housing them all in one place will do nothing to improve the situation here.”
Mr Bold, who said he had made significant representation in objection to both the council and the inspector who approved the plans for adoption, said his problem was with Travellers who had no interest in the area, citing problems of noise, mess, and illegal caravan parking.
He called it a “damage limitation exercise” for the council.
“The plan has almost unanimous support because no-one else wants it in their back yard,” he added.
“It’s a case of put up with this or get driven out for us.”
The plans will see undermined land, currently occupied by an unused football pitch at the Race, remediated at a cost of around £3.5 million.
It is intended to address overcrowding, with more than 100 residents already living on 28 permanent residential pitches at Shepherds Hill.
The LDP was adopted at an extraordinary full council meeting held on Tuesday December 3 and which will shape the future of development across Torfaen.
CwmNAG members have held meetings, protests and demonstrations over the issue.
They have been supported by Cwmynyscoy Ward councillor Neil Waite throughout their campaign.
Cllr Waite said: “It’s disappointing for the ward. We are probably the most deprived area in the borough and it’s another step backwards. Even the Gypsies at Shepherd’s Hill voiced opposition to the plan. But the decision went against us and now we have to live with it.”
Wednesday, 11 December 2013
More than 600 mourners attend Travellers' funeral in Cottenham - Cambridgeshire
From Cambridge News
More than 600 mourners attended the funeral of a baby in Cottenham today.
Police said “emotions were running high” as Travellers from across the Cambridge area attended the service in All Siants Church.
The funeral, which took place at 11am, was expected to cause traffic disruption, Cambridgeshire police warned.
Officers expected a large number of people attending the service may have an impact on the flow of traffic in the area.
Police have been at the scene to monitor any disruption. Members of the public were advised to consider this when planning their journey.
More than 600 mourners attended the funeral of a baby in Cottenham today.
Police said “emotions were running high” as Travellers from across the Cambridge area attended the service in All Siants Church.
The funeral, which took place at 11am, was expected to cause traffic disruption, Cambridgeshire police warned.
Officers expected a large number of people attending the service may have an impact on the flow of traffic in the area.
Police have been at the scene to monitor any disruption. Members of the public were advised to consider this when planning their journey.
High Court rejects Dale Farm appeal - Essex
From the Echo
BASILDON Council has won its latest legal battle with Dale Farm Travellers.
Some of the families who were evicted from the notorious site in 2011 have failed in their attempts to persuade senior judges that the authority should have offered them another site instead of bricks and mortar housing.
A case was brought against the Tory authority by Traveller Kathleen Slattery, who said the council’s offer of alternative housing was not “culturally appropriate”.
As the authority prepared to turf out the Travellers and effectively make them homeless, it had a legal duty to offer them a suitable roof above their heads.
But their offer of accommodation was deemed unacceptable by the Travellers, who claimed they prefer to live in caravans or mobile homes.
The case made it to the Court of Appeal on Thursday, where the judge ruled in Basildon Council’s favour, saying the offer was appropriate.
Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: “I welcome the decision of the court of appeal today which vindicates the Council’s offer of bricks and mortar as one that was appropriate.
It will also be welcomed by many local people.
“The principles of upholding the law while at the same time treating the Travellers appropriately and fairly have been at the heart of this council’s approach throughout our dealings with the former Dale Farm community and other Travellers.
“We will now continue to work with the Traveller community across our borough to address their housing needs where appropriate and possible. We appeal to them to engage with us through due process and obey the law.
“We continue to appeal to homeless families or individuals who we may be in a position to help to get in touch with us.”
Last year, another group of Dale Farm families, led by John Sheridan, took the council to the courts for the same reason – but their case was also thrown out at the Court of Appeal
BASILDON Council has won its latest legal battle with Dale Farm Travellers.
Some of the families who were evicted from the notorious site in 2011 have failed in their attempts to persuade senior judges that the authority should have offered them another site instead of bricks and mortar housing.
A case was brought against the Tory authority by Traveller Kathleen Slattery, who said the council’s offer of alternative housing was not “culturally appropriate”.
As the authority prepared to turf out the Travellers and effectively make them homeless, it had a legal duty to offer them a suitable roof above their heads.
But their offer of accommodation was deemed unacceptable by the Travellers, who claimed they prefer to live in caravans or mobile homes.
The case made it to the Court of Appeal on Thursday, where the judge ruled in Basildon Council’s favour, saying the offer was appropriate.
Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: “I welcome the decision of the court of appeal today which vindicates the Council’s offer of bricks and mortar as one that was appropriate.
It will also be welcomed by many local people.
“The principles of upholding the law while at the same time treating the Travellers appropriately and fairly have been at the heart of this council’s approach throughout our dealings with the former Dale Farm community and other Travellers.
“We will now continue to work with the Traveller community across our borough to address their housing needs where appropriate and possible. We appeal to them to engage with us through due process and obey the law.
“We continue to appeal to homeless families or individuals who we may be in a position to help to get in touch with us.”
Last year, another group of Dale Farm families, led by John Sheridan, took the council to the courts for the same reason – but their case was also thrown out at the Court of Appeal
Chiltern District Council postpone meeting on Travellers' sites proposals - Buckinghamshire
From the Bucks Free Press
COUNCIL bosses have postponed a meeting that was set to rule on plans for accommodation for Travellers after saying they needed more time to consider their decision.
Members of Chiltern District Council's Housing and Planning Overview Committee were due to meet this evening to discuss proposals for new pitches for Travellers and travelling Showpeople.
The meeting has now been put back until the new year, but the council says this will not disrupt a planned consultation with residents.
In August a report stated the authority needed to provide nine new pitches for Travellers and 16 for travelling Showpeople by 2026.
The council pinpointed five existing Traveller sites that could be extended to provide the new pitches and a further five new locations that could be used to provide accommodation.
However councillors stressed this did not mean the sites identified as part of the council's Delivery Development Plan Document were suitable for development, adding use of land for Travellers or travelling Showpeople within the Green Belt is inappropriate.
In a statement the council said: "The DDPD will contain detailed development management policies, site allocations and land use designations. The Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople's proposed site options and consultation forms one part of this much wider document. Members decided they needed more time to give the report their full and thorough considersation.
"The Housing and Planning Overview Committee will now consider the DDPD on January 21, and make comments or recommendations. Cabinet then considers the document, with any revisions, on February 11, after which it will go out to public consultation for a minimum of six weeks.
"Any responses from the consultation will go before a Government-appointed inspector who will conduct an examination of the DDPD in the summer."
COUNCIL bosses have postponed a meeting that was set to rule on plans for accommodation for Travellers after saying they needed more time to consider their decision.
Members of Chiltern District Council's Housing and Planning Overview Committee were due to meet this evening to discuss proposals for new pitches for Travellers and travelling Showpeople.
The meeting has now been put back until the new year, but the council says this will not disrupt a planned consultation with residents.
In August a report stated the authority needed to provide nine new pitches for Travellers and 16 for travelling Showpeople by 2026.
The council pinpointed five existing Traveller sites that could be extended to provide the new pitches and a further five new locations that could be used to provide accommodation.
However councillors stressed this did not mean the sites identified as part of the council's Delivery Development Plan Document were suitable for development, adding use of land for Travellers or travelling Showpeople within the Green Belt is inappropriate.
In a statement the council said: "The DDPD will contain detailed development management policies, site allocations and land use designations. The Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople's proposed site options and consultation forms one part of this much wider document. Members decided they needed more time to give the report their full and thorough considersation.
"The Housing and Planning Overview Committee will now consider the DDPD on January 21, and make comments or recommendations. Cabinet then considers the document, with any revisions, on February 11, after which it will go out to public consultation for a minimum of six weeks.
"Any responses from the consultation will go before a Government-appointed inspector who will conduct an examination of the DDPD in the summer."
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