From the Irish Examiner
A group of up to 100 members of the Irish Traveller's community are seeking High Court orders restraining Offaly Co Council from moving them from an unofficial halting site.
The action is brought on behalf of the group by Patrick McInerney his wife Bridget McInerney whom the court heard have been living at the halting site at Kilmucklin, Ashfield, Clara in Co Offaly since 2003 and Mary McInerney who is a primary healthcare worker with the Tullamore Travellers Movement, who also resides at the site with her family.
The High court heard today that Offaly Co Council decided to take action, due before Tullamore Circuit Court, under section 160 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 aimed at moving the group from the site, after receiving complaints from the public.
The site itself is an abandoned piece of land, away from the nearest main road and about half a mile from the nearest residence
Facilities there are non existent the site has no running water, sanitation or toilet facilities.
Moving the application Paul Gunning Bl for the McInerney's said his clients and members of their extended families moved to the site after leaving another site because of threatening, violent and hostile acts were committed against them.
It was their case that the by bringing proceedings against his clients, without providing them with an alternative, suitable accommodation the Council, as the local housing authority, was in breach of its statutory duty.
In their intended action the group are seeking a number of orders and declarations from the court, including an order quashing the Council's decision to issue proceedings against them under the 2000 Act.
The application was made, ex-parte (one side only) before Mr Justice Michael Peart today.
The Judge said that he would give his decision on whether to grant the group permission to bring their action later this week.
Monday 30 April 2012
Travellers bidding to make site their home - Shropshire
From the Shropshire Star
A row over a Travellers’ site in the Shropshire countryside took a new twist after the occupants applied for planning permission to stay put – despite council bosses serving them with an injunction.
A planning application has been submitted to Shropshire Council for an eight-pitch site in Warrant Road, Stoke-upon-Tern near Market Drayton.
A number of vehicles moved to the site at the end of March.
That prompted Shropshire Council to serve an injunction on the occupants in a bid to prevent any development.
The travellers challenged the injunction and took their fight to overturn it to the High Court in Birmingham.
But at a hearing on Monday the council was granted an order preventing any further development on the site.
Local residents have already objected to the plans to create a Travellers site on the land, which is owned by the occupants.
John Taylor, writing on Shropshire Council’s website, said: “Neighbours have not been consulted on this application, nor on the change of use of the existing site.
“It is time to consider other areas for this type of housing integration to take place in order to take account of the social impact recommended in the planning guidelines.”
A statement on behalf of the applicants, John Finney and others, says: “There can be no doubt that there is a clear and urgent need for additional site provision for Gypsies and Travellers in England and Wales.
“The local plan fails to identify suitable locations for Gypsy/Traveller sites in this district.
“The families all have very strong connections to the north Shropshire area and if consent is not granted they would remain in this area, doubling up with others where they can or resorting to roadside encampments.
“The families are all English Travellers. They are all closely related and/or have lived and travelled together as a group for many years.”
A row over a Travellers’ site in the Shropshire countryside took a new twist after the occupants applied for planning permission to stay put – despite council bosses serving them with an injunction.
A planning application has been submitted to Shropshire Council for an eight-pitch site in Warrant Road, Stoke-upon-Tern near Market Drayton.
A number of vehicles moved to the site at the end of March.
That prompted Shropshire Council to serve an injunction on the occupants in a bid to prevent any development.
The travellers challenged the injunction and took their fight to overturn it to the High Court in Birmingham.
But at a hearing on Monday the council was granted an order preventing any further development on the site.
Local residents have already objected to the plans to create a Travellers site on the land, which is owned by the occupants.
John Taylor, writing on Shropshire Council’s website, said: “Neighbours have not been consulted on this application, nor on the change of use of the existing site.
“It is time to consider other areas for this type of housing integration to take place in order to take account of the social impact recommended in the planning guidelines.”
A statement on behalf of the applicants, John Finney and others, says: “There can be no doubt that there is a clear and urgent need for additional site provision for Gypsies and Travellers in England and Wales.
“The local plan fails to identify suitable locations for Gypsy/Traveller sites in this district.
“The families all have very strong connections to the north Shropshire area and if consent is not granted they would remain in this area, doubling up with others where they can or resorting to roadside encampments.
“The families are all English Travellers. They are all closely related and/or have lived and travelled together as a group for many years.”
Writtle landowner tells Gypsy family to vacate site - Essex
From the Essex Chronicle
GYPSIES who set up camp on Writtle Mill have been moved on by the landowner.
Graham Aldis, who owns the 12 acres of green belt land in Chelmsford Road, opposite Hylands School, allowed the 12 gypsies to stay on his land for seven days.
But after their week was up and after increased concern amongst the residents of Writtle, Mr Aldis told the family to leave.
Mr Aldis, who is selling the land for £300,000, said: "The Gypsies broke onto my land and I went down there to speak to them. I told them breaking in wasn't on but they said they were only going to stay for seven days and so I agreed to it.
"The truth of the matter is if I'd been able to develop the land 16 years ago, when I bought it, then it wouldn't just be sat there as an eyesore.
"I've had numerous plans turned down to develop the land, which is really frustrating, so now I'm selling it off."
The Gypsies moved onto the site after fleeing their home in Devon.
They had previously set up camp on the side of the A414 towards Ongar.
A parish council meeting was held last Wednesday at Writtle village hall, which included a discussion about the gypsies.
Vice chairman of Writtle parish council, Ralph Bray, said: "Obviously, we're delighted the Gypsies have moved on. There was concern in the village."
When asked about whether development on the site could prevent further gypsies from setting up camp there, Mr Bray, added: "The land is green belt which separates Chemsford from Writtle, so any development on there is absolutely out of the question."
Dianne Collins, who has lived in Writtle for 11 years and attended the parish meeting, said: "The Gypsies caused no trouble and I had no concerns about them being in the village.
"I can understand that they must have felt vulnerable while they were at the side of the A414 and were looking for somewhere safer to stay until their legal pitches in Maldon were ready."
Mr Aldis who set up village restaurant Graham's On The Green, bought the land in 1997 for £68,500. He added: "I bought the land in auction and outbid the parish council. All of my ideas to improve the site and transform it from an eyesore were rejected.
"When I no longer own it, I'm sure there will be a real Gypsy problem there as they won't be as vigilant as me."
GYPSIES who set up camp on Writtle Mill have been moved on by the landowner.
Graham Aldis, who owns the 12 acres of green belt land in Chelmsford Road, opposite Hylands School, allowed the 12 gypsies to stay on his land for seven days.
But after their week was up and after increased concern amongst the residents of Writtle, Mr Aldis told the family to leave.
Mr Aldis, who is selling the land for £300,000, said: "The Gypsies broke onto my land and I went down there to speak to them. I told them breaking in wasn't on but they said they were only going to stay for seven days and so I agreed to it.
"The truth of the matter is if I'd been able to develop the land 16 years ago, when I bought it, then it wouldn't just be sat there as an eyesore.
"I've had numerous plans turned down to develop the land, which is really frustrating, so now I'm selling it off."
The Gypsies moved onto the site after fleeing their home in Devon.
They had previously set up camp on the side of the A414 towards Ongar.
A parish council meeting was held last Wednesday at Writtle village hall, which included a discussion about the gypsies.
Vice chairman of Writtle parish council, Ralph Bray, said: "Obviously, we're delighted the Gypsies have moved on. There was concern in the village."
When asked about whether development on the site could prevent further gypsies from setting up camp there, Mr Bray, added: "The land is green belt which separates Chemsford from Writtle, so any development on there is absolutely out of the question."
Dianne Collins, who has lived in Writtle for 11 years and attended the parish meeting, said: "The Gypsies caused no trouble and I had no concerns about them being in the village.
"I can understand that they must have felt vulnerable while they were at the side of the A414 and were looking for somewhere safer to stay until their legal pitches in Maldon were ready."
Mr Aldis who set up village restaurant Graham's On The Green, bought the land in 1997 for £68,500. He added: "I bought the land in auction and outbid the parish council. All of my ideas to improve the site and transform it from an eyesore were rejected.
"When I no longer own it, I'm sure there will be a real Gypsy problem there as they won't be as vigilant as me."
Summons to be served on Travellers at Branksome Chine - Dorset
From the Daily Echo
OFFICIALS will serve a summons on an illegal Traveller encampment at a Branksome Chine car park today.
The Travellers moved onto the site two weeks ago, much to the annoyance of local residents.
Borough of Poole officers served direction orders on the 13 caravans present on Friday and have court time booked for tomorrow to secure an eviction order should the Travellers remain, the Daily Echo understands.
Jeff Morley, Borough of Poole team manager, said: “Since their arrival we have been visiting the site most days to provide refuse sacks, assess the behaviour of the Travellers and reduce any impact on the local area.
“We are now using the legal process to ensure their eviction as soon as possible and we envisage this will happen by the middle of the week.”
The Travellers will have 24 hours to vacate if they are served with an eviction order.
Initially, ten traveller caravans and one motor-home moved onto the Beach Road car park at Branksome Chine, Poole, on April 17.
The Travellers were still on the site yesterday afternoon.
Travellers formed an encampment at the same car park in 2008, prompting calls from local residents to install height restriction barriers at the Beach Road and Western Road car parks.
However, the borough elected not to install any such barriers.
After the latest encampment sprang up, one Branksome resident, who asked not to be named, told the Echo: “Hopefully they won’t be in this car park for too long.
“It is pretty worrying for locals and we hope we don’t develop a situation where numbers grow and grow.
“I cannot see any visitors feeling confident enough to leave their cars there until these Travellers have left.”
OFFICIALS will serve a summons on an illegal Traveller encampment at a Branksome Chine car park today.
The Travellers moved onto the site two weeks ago, much to the annoyance of local residents.
Borough of Poole officers served direction orders on the 13 caravans present on Friday and have court time booked for tomorrow to secure an eviction order should the Travellers remain, the Daily Echo understands.
Jeff Morley, Borough of Poole team manager, said: “Since their arrival we have been visiting the site most days to provide refuse sacks, assess the behaviour of the Travellers and reduce any impact on the local area.
“We are now using the legal process to ensure their eviction as soon as possible and we envisage this will happen by the middle of the week.”
The Travellers will have 24 hours to vacate if they are served with an eviction order.
Initially, ten traveller caravans and one motor-home moved onto the Beach Road car park at Branksome Chine, Poole, on April 17.
The Travellers were still on the site yesterday afternoon.
Travellers formed an encampment at the same car park in 2008, prompting calls from local residents to install height restriction barriers at the Beach Road and Western Road car parks.
However, the borough elected not to install any such barriers.
After the latest encampment sprang up, one Branksome resident, who asked not to be named, told the Echo: “Hopefully they won’t be in this car park for too long.
“It is pretty worrying for locals and we hope we don’t develop a situation where numbers grow and grow.
“I cannot see any visitors feeling confident enough to leave their cars there until these Travellers have left.”
Protesters refuse to take town camp - Meriden
From ITV News
Villagers protesting against an illegal Gypsy site near Solihull say they won't take their protest camp down - even though it breaches planning regulations.
Residents in Meriden were ordered by Solihull Borough Council to move their temporary shelter by today. But villagers say nothing will come down until they have finished discussions with the council.
We asked the council to stay for another year but they have refused, however they have said they want to explore options. Until we have finished discussions with the council we won't take the camp down.
I don't want the residents to be in a situation where they are sitting in rain and gale force winds without any shelter.
– David McGrath, Residents Against Inappropriate Development
The Gypsies moved on to greenbelt land two years ago and set up a camp without planning permission. Since then residents have kept a 24 hour vigil as part of their protest.
The Gypsies have agreed with the council to leave by 31 March 2013 after a High Court Judge rejected their appeal to stay. But villagers say they will not leave unto the Gypsies do.
Villagers protesting against an illegal Gypsy site near Solihull say they won't take their protest camp down - even though it breaches planning regulations.
Residents in Meriden were ordered by Solihull Borough Council to move their temporary shelter by today. But villagers say nothing will come down until they have finished discussions with the council.
We asked the council to stay for another year but they have refused, however they have said they want to explore options. Until we have finished discussions with the council we won't take the camp down.
I don't want the residents to be in a situation where they are sitting in rain and gale force winds without any shelter.
– David McGrath, Residents Against Inappropriate Development
The Gypsies moved on to greenbelt land two years ago and set up a camp without planning permission. Since then residents have kept a 24 hour vigil as part of their protest.
The Gypsies have agreed with the council to leave by 31 March 2013 after a High Court Judge rejected their appeal to stay. But villagers say they will not leave unto the Gypsies do.
Mourners follow coffin carried by horse and carriage - Hampshire
From This Is Hampshire
SHE was carried by horse and carriage to her final resting place, before family and friends threw red carnations on her grave.
Around 100 mourners followed Gypsy Amy Cole’s coffin from St Michael’s Church, in North Waltham, to Worting Road Cemetery, where she was laid to rest.
The 89-year-old, who had more than 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, grew up as a Gypsy, travelling around Hampshire in a traditional Romany wagon pulled by a Shire horse.
But the mother-of-six and her late husband Lushy Smith decided to give up their roaming lifestyle when their youngest daughters were born.
Maurice Smith, 65, one of her two sons, said: “We very much enjoyed travelling around. We were always free and it was a life that the Gypsies loved. But it got harder and harder to stop anywhere – we kept getting moved on. When my sisters were born, my parents decided the girls needed an education because life by then started changing.”
The family moved into a house, but after her husband died of a heart attack in 1967, Amy partly reverted back to her old lifestyle and moved into a mobile home in Attwood Close, Basingstoke, where she stayed with her partner Hughie Murphy, until she died on April 8.
During her travelling days, Amy sold rag and bone from a horse and cart to make a living. She was bought up by her brothers and sisters after her parents died when she was very young.
Mr Smith said: “She’s always been a Gypsy but she hasn’t always lived the Gypsy lifestyle. She loved the freedom of it.
“There were no rules and regulations. They never had anyone to answer to and just made a living.”
At her funeral service, conducted by The Reverend Michael Kenning, music by Engelbert Humperdinck, Westlife and Jim Reeves was played, and a poem read by one of her many grandsons. Mourners then followed her coffin from the church, the slow procession stopping traffic as it travelled to the cemetery.
Mr Smith, a father-of-three, from Bucklebury, said: “It was a beautiful day.
“She was lovely and a good cook and bought up her family well.”
SHE was carried by horse and carriage to her final resting place, before family and friends threw red carnations on her grave.
Around 100 mourners followed Gypsy Amy Cole’s coffin from St Michael’s Church, in North Waltham, to Worting Road Cemetery, where she was laid to rest.
The 89-year-old, who had more than 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, grew up as a Gypsy, travelling around Hampshire in a traditional Romany wagon pulled by a Shire horse.
But the mother-of-six and her late husband Lushy Smith decided to give up their roaming lifestyle when their youngest daughters were born.
Maurice Smith, 65, one of her two sons, said: “We very much enjoyed travelling around. We were always free and it was a life that the Gypsies loved. But it got harder and harder to stop anywhere – we kept getting moved on. When my sisters were born, my parents decided the girls needed an education because life by then started changing.”
The family moved into a house, but after her husband died of a heart attack in 1967, Amy partly reverted back to her old lifestyle and moved into a mobile home in Attwood Close, Basingstoke, where she stayed with her partner Hughie Murphy, until she died on April 8.
During her travelling days, Amy sold rag and bone from a horse and cart to make a living. She was bought up by her brothers and sisters after her parents died when she was very young.
Mr Smith said: “She’s always been a Gypsy but she hasn’t always lived the Gypsy lifestyle. She loved the freedom of it.
“There were no rules and regulations. They never had anyone to answer to and just made a living.”
At her funeral service, conducted by The Reverend Michael Kenning, music by Engelbert Humperdinck, Westlife and Jim Reeves was played, and a poem read by one of her many grandsons. Mourners then followed her coffin from the church, the slow procession stopping traffic as it travelled to the cemetery.
Mr Smith, a father-of-three, from Bucklebury, said: “It was a beautiful day.
“She was lovely and a good cook and bought up her family well.”
Sunday 29 April 2012
Southwick residents in rush to have Gypsy plan say - Wiltshire
From the Wiltshire Times
Southwick residents who object to two Gypsy site plans have spoken out in droves – but at the eleventh hour.
Many did not learn of the two planned mobile homes, at Hoopers Pool and Poplar Tree Lane, until reading about the planning applications in the Wiltshire Times last Friday.
Residents distributed hundreds of flyers around the village encouraging people to lodge comments on the Hoopers pool plan with Wiltshire Council’s planning department before the deadline of midnight last Friday.
They had until midnight on Friday to make comments via the Wiltshire Council website on the Poplar Tree Lane scheme.
Kellie MacKenzie, from Brookmead, said: “Having lived in Southwick for a number of years, we usually receive regular bulletins providing updates on village news. However, the details for the recent planning applications in Hoopers Pool and Poplar Tree Lane have been extremely vague and we feel deceived by the lack of communication to advise local people.”
Wiltshire Council consulted immediate neighbours and Southwick Parish Council for their views and put a notice next to each site.
At both sites, which are off Frome Road, Gypsy families want to build a mobile home, a dayroom and have a space for a touring caravan. Fifty residents made comments about Hoopers Pool. So far 28 have commented about Poplar Tree Lane.
Zoe Jefferies, from Wynsome Street, said: “This is a very busy main road without pavements and it would be very dangerous for pedestrians to access the site, especially children.”
Andrew Hewson, from Chantry Gardens, said: “The conversion of agricultural land into a dwelling site is inappropriate. The plans do not allow for drainage when it is quite clear that the dayroom is nothing more than a washing facility for the numerous caravans that will be using this site.”
Both plans will be discussed by councillors, most likely at the next planning committee meeting on May 9 at 6pm at the Bradley Road offices in Trowbridge.
Southwick residents who object to two Gypsy site plans have spoken out in droves – but at the eleventh hour.
Many did not learn of the two planned mobile homes, at Hoopers Pool and Poplar Tree Lane, until reading about the planning applications in the Wiltshire Times last Friday.
Residents distributed hundreds of flyers around the village encouraging people to lodge comments on the Hoopers pool plan with Wiltshire Council’s planning department before the deadline of midnight last Friday.
They had until midnight on Friday to make comments via the Wiltshire Council website on the Poplar Tree Lane scheme.
Kellie MacKenzie, from Brookmead, said: “Having lived in Southwick for a number of years, we usually receive regular bulletins providing updates on village news. However, the details for the recent planning applications in Hoopers Pool and Poplar Tree Lane have been extremely vague and we feel deceived by the lack of communication to advise local people.”
Wiltshire Council consulted immediate neighbours and Southwick Parish Council for their views and put a notice next to each site.
At both sites, which are off Frome Road, Gypsy families want to build a mobile home, a dayroom and have a space for a touring caravan. Fifty residents made comments about Hoopers Pool. So far 28 have commented about Poplar Tree Lane.
Zoe Jefferies, from Wynsome Street, said: “This is a very busy main road without pavements and it would be very dangerous for pedestrians to access the site, especially children.”
Andrew Hewson, from Chantry Gardens, said: “The conversion of agricultural land into a dwelling site is inappropriate. The plans do not allow for drainage when it is quite clear that the dayroom is nothing more than a washing facility for the numerous caravans that will be using this site.”
Both plans will be discussed by councillors, most likely at the next planning committee meeting on May 9 at 6pm at the Bradley Road offices in Trowbridge.
High-level meeting to resolve Travellers’ site land row - Somerset
From the Western Gazette
An MP has stepped into a long-running dispute over a Travellers’ site near Merriott.
The Hughes family has been embroiled in a legal battle with the site’s landowners Somerset County Council since they moved on to land at Eggwood in May 2008.
Residents of Merriott, Hinton St George and Lopen who have been lobbying the authority to resolve the issue and have called on Yeovil MP David Laws to help conclude the situation.
Mr Laws and Paul Maxwell, who is district councillor for the Eggwood ward and county councillor for South Petherton, met officials from both local authorities recently to thrash out the issue. In the last week the two met Somerset County Council’s chief executive Sheila Wheeler, who they say have promised to make the matter a “priority.”
Mr Laws said: “I’m very well aware of the frustration of local residents about how long it is taking the county council to sort this matter out.
“I share this frustration myself.
“The chief executive promised to make the resolution of this a priority and we all agreed that it’s high time that this community resource was returned to the people of Lopen, Hinton St George and Merriott.”
Traveller mum Emma Hughes said her family are trying to find somewhere else to go and just want to be treated fairly while they wait for a new home. She said: “We are trying to do things the right way, we know we can’t stay on this site forever but at the moment we have nowhere else to go.”
The family has unsuccessfully sought planning permission for a site in Haselbury Plucknett and are now appealing against its refusal.
The Eggwood site – which borders Merriott, Hinton St George and Lopen – is a beauty spot. Lopen residents have said that in recent years they feel it has become a “no-go area” for them.
A county council spokesman said: “We appreciate that local residents are unhappy about the situation and we can assure them we are doing what we can to sort this matter out. The county council has tried through the courts to resolve the unauthorised occupation of the amenity land at Eggwood Hill.
“The council is currently preparing a comprehensive case to make a renewed legal effort to get the land back while also taking into account the relevant welfare, educational and health needs of the occupants, in particular the six children involved.”
An MP has stepped into a long-running dispute over a Travellers’ site near Merriott.
The Hughes family has been embroiled in a legal battle with the site’s landowners Somerset County Council since they moved on to land at Eggwood in May 2008.
Residents of Merriott, Hinton St George and Lopen who have been lobbying the authority to resolve the issue and have called on Yeovil MP David Laws to help conclude the situation.
Mr Laws and Paul Maxwell, who is district councillor for the Eggwood ward and county councillor for South Petherton, met officials from both local authorities recently to thrash out the issue. In the last week the two met Somerset County Council’s chief executive Sheila Wheeler, who they say have promised to make the matter a “priority.”
Mr Laws said: “I’m very well aware of the frustration of local residents about how long it is taking the county council to sort this matter out.
“I share this frustration myself.
“The chief executive promised to make the resolution of this a priority and we all agreed that it’s high time that this community resource was returned to the people of Lopen, Hinton St George and Merriott.”
Traveller mum Emma Hughes said her family are trying to find somewhere else to go and just want to be treated fairly while they wait for a new home. She said: “We are trying to do things the right way, we know we can’t stay on this site forever but at the moment we have nowhere else to go.”
The family has unsuccessfully sought planning permission for a site in Haselbury Plucknett and are now appealing against its refusal.
The Eggwood site – which borders Merriott, Hinton St George and Lopen – is a beauty spot. Lopen residents have said that in recent years they feel it has become a “no-go area” for them.
A county council spokesman said: “We appreciate that local residents are unhappy about the situation and we can assure them we are doing what we can to sort this matter out. The county council has tried through the courts to resolve the unauthorised occupation of the amenity land at Eggwood Hill.
“The council is currently preparing a comprehensive case to make a renewed legal effort to get the land back while also taking into account the relevant welfare, educational and health needs of the occupants, in particular the six children involved.”
Gypsy homes come under the spotlight - Cheshire
CHESHIRE East Council is looking to work with private companies to deal with the issue of homes for Gypsies and Travellers.
It is also looking to partner with registered social landlords to address the housing needs of the groups after last week withdrawing plans for a site on Parkers Road in Crewe.
Clr Rachel Bailey, cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “The Parkers Road application has been withdrawn to enable us to take stock of the new guidance and formulate a new approach.
“I would like to stress that the decision to withdraw the application has not disadvantaged Gypsies and Travellers in Cheshire East.
“Our aim is to work with the Gypsy and Traveller community and local residents to find a sustainable solution to the shortage in sites.”
The council had considered Parkers Lane as the best site for a number of reasons including its proximity to an urban area and schools, the flatness of the land, good road access and because the area was known to be used by Gypsies.
However, the authority is now studying the Government’s new planning policy for traveller sites, which gives greater scope for councils to carry out their own assessments of site provision.
Clr Michael Jones, Cabinet member with responsibility for resources, said: “The guidance has given us the opportunity to explore new innovative working relationships in the delivery of sites.
“We need to provide more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the same way we need to increase the number of new homes that are built.
“Therefore, it makes sense that we work with the same partners – namely the private sector and registered social landlords.” Labour had called for the plans to be withdrawn in February and in a statement last week accused local Conservatives of wasting time and money.
Crewe East Ward Clr Chris Thorley said: “This site should never have been proposed at all.
“The Conservatives have wasted everyone’s time and money by pursuing this application for so long.”
It is also looking to partner with registered social landlords to address the housing needs of the groups after last week withdrawing plans for a site on Parkers Road in Crewe.
Clr Rachel Bailey, cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “The Parkers Road application has been withdrawn to enable us to take stock of the new guidance and formulate a new approach.
“I would like to stress that the decision to withdraw the application has not disadvantaged Gypsies and Travellers in Cheshire East.
“Our aim is to work with the Gypsy and Traveller community and local residents to find a sustainable solution to the shortage in sites.”
The council had considered Parkers Lane as the best site for a number of reasons including its proximity to an urban area and schools, the flatness of the land, good road access and because the area was known to be used by Gypsies.
However, the authority is now studying the Government’s new planning policy for traveller sites, which gives greater scope for councils to carry out their own assessments of site provision.
Clr Michael Jones, Cabinet member with responsibility for resources, said: “The guidance has given us the opportunity to explore new innovative working relationships in the delivery of sites.
“We need to provide more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the same way we need to increase the number of new homes that are built.
“Therefore, it makes sense that we work with the same partners – namely the private sector and registered social landlords.” Labour had called for the plans to be withdrawn in February and in a statement last week accused local Conservatives of wasting time and money.
Crewe East Ward Clr Chris Thorley said: “This site should never have been proposed at all.
“The Conservatives have wasted everyone’s time and money by pursuing this application for so long.”
Saturday 28 April 2012
Travellers moved off from two recreation sites in Nuneaton
From the Coventry Guardian
COUNCIL officials have been working with police officers to remove groups of Travellers from recreation grounds in Nuneaton.
Caravans, trailers and mobile homes have been illegally camped this week at the Jubilee Sports Centre in Greenmoor Road and the Pingles’ football pitches in Avenue Road.
The families moved off both sites after being served by legal notices, obtained by the local authority and served by the police, while extra security measures were put in place to prevent access to other public areas in the borough.
Council managing director Alan Franks said: “We will not tolerate the illegal encampment of vehicles on our land.
‘‘We are working with our partner agencies to ensure that the impact of these encampments causes minimum effect on the wider community and will use all of our necessary powers to ensure that this issue is addressed.”
COUNCIL officials have been working with police officers to remove groups of Travellers from recreation grounds in Nuneaton.
Caravans, trailers and mobile homes have been illegally camped this week at the Jubilee Sports Centre in Greenmoor Road and the Pingles’ football pitches in Avenue Road.
The families moved off both sites after being served by legal notices, obtained by the local authority and served by the police, while extra security measures were put in place to prevent access to other public areas in the borough.
Council managing director Alan Franks said: “We will not tolerate the illegal encampment of vehicles on our land.
‘‘We are working with our partner agencies to ensure that the impact of these encampments causes minimum effect on the wider community and will use all of our necessary powers to ensure that this issue is addressed.”
Travellers have moved - Hampshire
From The News
TRAVELLERS have left the car park of a former DIY store in Fareham.
Half a dozen caravans and assorted vehicles had parked outside the old Focus DIY store at Speedfields Park off Newgate Lane in Fareham on Wednesday.
But they moved on during yesterday morning.
TRAVELLERS have left the car park of a former DIY store in Fareham.
Half a dozen caravans and assorted vehicles had parked outside the old Focus DIY store at Speedfields Park off Newgate Lane in Fareham on Wednesday.
But they moved on during yesterday morning.
Fight against plans for Gypsy site gathers pace - Cheshire
From wilsmlow.co.uk
Residents took their fight to prevent a Gypsy site being built off Moor Lane to Mobberley yesterday.
About fifty local residents attended a planning committee meeting of Mobberley Parish Council to express their concern over plans for a Gypsy pitch on green belt land.
The proposed site is on the outskirts of Wilmslow but falls within the Parish of Mobberley.
Earlier in the week over 100 local residents attended a meeting of the Wilmslow Town Council Planning Committee to object to the plans which have been submitted by Matthew Green, of Green Planning Solutions, who has been dubbed the 'Gypsy King' for his tireless advocacy for Gypsies seeking the legitimization of illegal dwellings on green belt sites.
The submitted plans for the 0.46 hectare site, which show one proposed mobile home, one proposed touring caravan and a proposed utility/day room, have been criticised for being unclear and many residents fear the intention is for a lot more caravans to occupy this site.
Speaking at last night's meeting Terry Sleigh of Moor Lane said "What we have to consider is that it is green belt which can only be built on in exceptional circumstances. I do not see any reason for any sort of exceptional circumstances.
"If what is proposed did go ahead we are looking at hard standing for one caravan with a day room which contains washing facilities, toilet facilities and cooking facilities. Why on earth do they need a day room for one caravan?
"We will see a lot of the travelling community coming down to this plot.
"It will have a huge impact on the environment which is already under threat at Lindow Moss and lead to increased traffic on a single track road with no curbs, which is already carrying more traffic than we would want to see. This will increase damage to the road surface and congestion.
"There will also be an impact on local schools as the travelling community have a right to education. All the schools have an outstanding performance and are already full but they will have to take the children and provide free school meals and uniforms that are paid for by us."
Concerns were also raised about the effect on local amenities, such as sewage and rubbish collection and a couple of residents asked why a private application needs to be considered when Cheshire East Council has already allocated sites for the travelling community.
A lady who has run a business on Water Lane for the past 14 years said "Every time Gypsies are in town we have to be overstaffed and all holidays are cancelled. It is an absolute nightmare with shoplifting - the knock on effect for local traders will be immense."
Whilst there was a lot of fear in the room it was acknowledged by local residents that they need to oppose the application on planning grounds, most importantly the fact it is green belt land.
It was also suggested that a group of local residents get together and get some professional advice "because the people who put in the application have paid a lot of money to get experts."
Terry Sleigh added "A group of us have been knocking on doors to ask people to oppose the application. We have been surprised at how many people are still ignorant of the plans."
Members of Mobberley Parish Council Planning Committee voted unanimously to recommend refusal of the planning application.
The planning application, reference 12/1144M, can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website. Representations have to be submitted by May 11th and at the time of writing over 130 objections to this planning application had been submitted to Cheshire East Council.
Residents took their fight to prevent a Gypsy site being built off Moor Lane to Mobberley yesterday.
About fifty local residents attended a planning committee meeting of Mobberley Parish Council to express their concern over plans for a Gypsy pitch on green belt land.
The proposed site is on the outskirts of Wilmslow but falls within the Parish of Mobberley.
Earlier in the week over 100 local residents attended a meeting of the Wilmslow Town Council Planning Committee to object to the plans which have been submitted by Matthew Green, of Green Planning Solutions, who has been dubbed the 'Gypsy King' for his tireless advocacy for Gypsies seeking the legitimization of illegal dwellings on green belt sites.
The submitted plans for the 0.46 hectare site, which show one proposed mobile home, one proposed touring caravan and a proposed utility/day room, have been criticised for being unclear and many residents fear the intention is for a lot more caravans to occupy this site.
Speaking at last night's meeting Terry Sleigh of Moor Lane said "What we have to consider is that it is green belt which can only be built on in exceptional circumstances. I do not see any reason for any sort of exceptional circumstances.
"If what is proposed did go ahead we are looking at hard standing for one caravan with a day room which contains washing facilities, toilet facilities and cooking facilities. Why on earth do they need a day room for one caravan?
"We will see a lot of the travelling community coming down to this plot.
"It will have a huge impact on the environment which is already under threat at Lindow Moss and lead to increased traffic on a single track road with no curbs, which is already carrying more traffic than we would want to see. This will increase damage to the road surface and congestion.
"There will also be an impact on local schools as the travelling community have a right to education. All the schools have an outstanding performance and are already full but they will have to take the children and provide free school meals and uniforms that are paid for by us."
Concerns were also raised about the effect on local amenities, such as sewage and rubbish collection and a couple of residents asked why a private application needs to be considered when Cheshire East Council has already allocated sites for the travelling community.
A lady who has run a business on Water Lane for the past 14 years said "Every time Gypsies are in town we have to be overstaffed and all holidays are cancelled. It is an absolute nightmare with shoplifting - the knock on effect for local traders will be immense."
Whilst there was a lot of fear in the room it was acknowledged by local residents that they need to oppose the application on planning grounds, most importantly the fact it is green belt land.
It was also suggested that a group of local residents get together and get some professional advice "because the people who put in the application have paid a lot of money to get experts."
Terry Sleigh added "A group of us have been knocking on doors to ask people to oppose the application. We have been surprised at how many people are still ignorant of the plans."
Members of Mobberley Parish Council Planning Committee voted unanimously to recommend refusal of the planning application.
The planning application, reference 12/1144M, can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website. Representations have to be submitted by May 11th and at the time of writing over 130 objections to this planning application had been submitted to Cheshire East Council.
Greenbelt Chief claims 'Gypsy King' plans for Wilmslow camp may help change Traveller 'misconceptions'
From mancunian matters
The ex-MP dubbed the ‘Gypsy King’ is submitting plans for a proposed Travellers’ site on greenbelt land in Wilmslow – and has the support of Greenbelt’s chief executive.
Matthew Green, owner of Green Planning Solutions and ex-Lib Dem MP for Ludlow, has been dubbed the ‘Gypsy King’ by the press for his for his persistent support of Gypsies in illegal dwellings on greenbelt sites.
About a third of Green Planning Solutions’ clients are from Gypsy or Traveller backgrounds, and it has been asserted by the Daily Telegraph that they have earned thousands of pounds advising gypsies on illegal camps.
Their website claims that they "specialise in winning planning permission on difficult sites, usually rural locations including the greenbelt.”
Alex Middleton, chief executive of Greenbelt, who owns and manages greenbelt land in more than 750 locations across the country, lent his support to the legitimacy of the travellers’ claims.
He said: “At the end of the day Travellers need accommodation.
“If they leave it in the state in which it is granted to them, I don’t see a problem with that. It could even help alleviate some of the misconceptions about Travellers.”
If the application is successful, the 0.46 hectare site will be built off Moor Lane, and will feature one mobile home, one touring caravan and a day room.
However, locals are overwhelmingly not in favour of the proposed site, and many are sceptical of the plan’s terms, fearing far more caravans will occupy the site than suggested.
Moor Lane resident Terry Sleigh said: “What we have to consider is that it is green belt which can only be built on in exceptional circumstances. I do not see any reason for any sort of exceptional circumstances.
“If what is proposed did go ahead we are looking at hard standing for one caravan with a day room which contains washing facilities, toilet facilities and cooking facilities. Why on earth do they need a day room for one caravan?”
Other local residents have raised further issues, such as the effect the site will have on local schools and amenities such as rubbish collections.
Over 130 objections to the application have already been submitted to Cheshire East Council.
The planning application can be viewed on the council’s website, citing the reference 12/1144M.
The ex-MP dubbed the ‘Gypsy King’ is submitting plans for a proposed Travellers’ site on greenbelt land in Wilmslow – and has the support of Greenbelt’s chief executive.
Matthew Green, owner of Green Planning Solutions and ex-Lib Dem MP for Ludlow, has been dubbed the ‘Gypsy King’ by the press for his for his persistent support of Gypsies in illegal dwellings on greenbelt sites.
About a third of Green Planning Solutions’ clients are from Gypsy or Traveller backgrounds, and it has been asserted by the Daily Telegraph that they have earned thousands of pounds advising gypsies on illegal camps.
Their website claims that they "specialise in winning planning permission on difficult sites, usually rural locations including the greenbelt.”
Alex Middleton, chief executive of Greenbelt, who owns and manages greenbelt land in more than 750 locations across the country, lent his support to the legitimacy of the travellers’ claims.
He said: “At the end of the day Travellers need accommodation.
“If they leave it in the state in which it is granted to them, I don’t see a problem with that. It could even help alleviate some of the misconceptions about Travellers.”
If the application is successful, the 0.46 hectare site will be built off Moor Lane, and will feature one mobile home, one touring caravan and a day room.
However, locals are overwhelmingly not in favour of the proposed site, and many are sceptical of the plan’s terms, fearing far more caravans will occupy the site than suggested.
Moor Lane resident Terry Sleigh said: “What we have to consider is that it is green belt which can only be built on in exceptional circumstances. I do not see any reason for any sort of exceptional circumstances.
“If what is proposed did go ahead we are looking at hard standing for one caravan with a day room which contains washing facilities, toilet facilities and cooking facilities. Why on earth do they need a day room for one caravan?”
Other local residents have raised further issues, such as the effect the site will have on local schools and amenities such as rubbish collections.
Over 130 objections to the application have already been submitted to Cheshire East Council.
The planning application can be viewed on the council’s website, citing the reference 12/1144M.
Meriden Gypsy campaigners say they will not leave
From the BBC
Campaigners opposed to an illegal Gypsy site say they will be stay put despite a West Midlands council telling them to remove their demonstration camp.
Residents Against Inappropriate Development (Raid) in Meriden were ordered to move by Sunday.
Solihull Borough Council has refused a request for Raid to stay on the site. The Gypsies have agreed with the council to leave by 31 March 2013.
Raid spokesman Dave McGrath said: "It's business as usual."
He said: "Naturally we're disappointed - on one the hand they're prepared to let the Travellers stay, whereas on the other hand the people trying to protect the green belt have been asked to move by the end of this month."
Members of the group have been taking it in turns to hold a 24-hour vigil at the camp since 30 April 2010 when the Gypsies put up eight permanent caravan pitches on a green-belt site in the village on Eaves Lane.
On Wednesday the council held a private meeting to consider an application from Raid asking to keep their demonstration camp for another year.
The council has said it will talk to the protesters to "explore options for the future lawful use of the site".
Mr McGrath said: "We'll be pleased to meet with them to clarify if there is any scope to carry on with our shelter, but for the moment it's business as usual and we will certainly not be moving.
Meriden Gypsy site Eight caravan pitches were put up in Eaves Lane in 2010
"It feels like there is one law for the Travellers and one for local people and our campaign will not cease until the greenbelt is restored in Meriden.
"We're here to stay, we're here to campaign."
He also said they protesters be marking the two-year anniversary of being on the site on Sunday.
In July 2010, the council refused to give the Gypsies retrospective planning permission, a decision upheld by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles last October.
In March 2012 a High Court judge rejected their appeal against a decision, which ruled their development could not remain on the Meriden site.
The Gypsies had claimed the council did not provide viable alternative accommodation.
Campaigners opposed to an illegal Gypsy site say they will be stay put despite a West Midlands council telling them to remove their demonstration camp.
Residents Against Inappropriate Development (Raid) in Meriden were ordered to move by Sunday.
Solihull Borough Council has refused a request for Raid to stay on the site. The Gypsies have agreed with the council to leave by 31 March 2013.
Raid spokesman Dave McGrath said: "It's business as usual."
He said: "Naturally we're disappointed - on one the hand they're prepared to let the Travellers stay, whereas on the other hand the people trying to protect the green belt have been asked to move by the end of this month."
Members of the group have been taking it in turns to hold a 24-hour vigil at the camp since 30 April 2010 when the Gypsies put up eight permanent caravan pitches on a green-belt site in the village on Eaves Lane.
On Wednesday the council held a private meeting to consider an application from Raid asking to keep their demonstration camp for another year.
The council has said it will talk to the protesters to "explore options for the future lawful use of the site".
Mr McGrath said: "We'll be pleased to meet with them to clarify if there is any scope to carry on with our shelter, but for the moment it's business as usual and we will certainly not be moving.
Meriden Gypsy site Eight caravan pitches were put up in Eaves Lane in 2010
"It feels like there is one law for the Travellers and one for local people and our campaign will not cease until the greenbelt is restored in Meriden.
"We're here to stay, we're here to campaign."
He also said they protesters be marking the two-year anniversary of being on the site on Sunday.
In July 2010, the council refused to give the Gypsies retrospective planning permission, a decision upheld by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles last October.
In March 2012 a High Court judge rejected their appeal against a decision, which ruled their development could not remain on the Meriden site.
The Gypsies had claimed the council did not provide viable alternative accommodation.
Thursday 26 April 2012
Council puts Gypsy and Traveller site on market - Devon
From the North Devon Journal
A CONTROVERSIAL piece of land which has already cost Holsworthy taxpayers £100,000 is to be sold.
Derriton Quarry, which was earmarked as Torridge's first managed Gypsy and Traveller site, will be put on the market with the planning permission still valid.
Torridge District Council, which paid around £60,000 for the former highways depot and then spent a further £40,000 making improvements to it, agreed to dispose of the land at a meeting of its community and resources committee last week.
The council said it did not know how much the land would be sold for.
It previously received an £840,000 government grant to fund the Traveller site project.
But it handed the cash back to the Homes and Communities Agency at the last minute after abandoning the plans.
It had come under strong pressure from residents over its plans to site seven Gypsy and traveller pitches at the former quarry, with many people saying it was not fit for human habitation.
Council leader Barry Parsons said: "The council decided not to proceed with the Derriton project some time ago and returned the funds to the Homes and Communities Agency at that time.
"Following that, a decision on what should be done with the land had to be made and it is proposed to now sell it.
"It will be sold with the benefit of the current planning permission, although it could be suitable for other uses."
Former mayor of Holsworthy Richard Brown was a district councillor who fought the initial plans to create a Gypsy and Traveller site.
He said: "It doesn't matter who owns this site, it is not fit for human habitation. I wouldn't kennel a dog there.
"This is a fairly cowardly decision by a council that should never have acquired the site in the first place."
The council said it was still committed to finding a managed site suitable for Gypsies and Travellers in the district.
A CONTROVERSIAL piece of land which has already cost Holsworthy taxpayers £100,000 is to be sold.
Derriton Quarry, which was earmarked as Torridge's first managed Gypsy and Traveller site, will be put on the market with the planning permission still valid.
Torridge District Council, which paid around £60,000 for the former highways depot and then spent a further £40,000 making improvements to it, agreed to dispose of the land at a meeting of its community and resources committee last week.
The council said it did not know how much the land would be sold for.
It previously received an £840,000 government grant to fund the Traveller site project.
But it handed the cash back to the Homes and Communities Agency at the last minute after abandoning the plans.
It had come under strong pressure from residents over its plans to site seven Gypsy and traveller pitches at the former quarry, with many people saying it was not fit for human habitation.
Council leader Barry Parsons said: "The council decided not to proceed with the Derriton project some time ago and returned the funds to the Homes and Communities Agency at that time.
"Following that, a decision on what should be done with the land had to be made and it is proposed to now sell it.
"It will be sold with the benefit of the current planning permission, although it could be suitable for other uses."
Former mayor of Holsworthy Richard Brown was a district councillor who fought the initial plans to create a Gypsy and Traveller site.
He said: "It doesn't matter who owns this site, it is not fit for human habitation. I wouldn't kennel a dog there.
"This is a fairly cowardly decision by a council that should never have acquired the site in the first place."
The council said it was still committed to finding a managed site suitable for Gypsies and Travellers in the district.
Travellers set up camp on green - Devon
From the Herald Express
A GROUP of Travellers has set up camp in Churston.
The four caravans (pictured) appeared on the green between Bascombe Road and Dartmouth Road during the weekend of April 21 and 22.
A council spokesman said health and education checks had to be conducted before any procedures could be started to evict the group.
The council spokesman said: "Until we have done these checks, there's nothing else we can do."
A GROUP of Travellers has set up camp in Churston.
The four caravans (pictured) appeared on the green between Bascombe Road and Dartmouth Road during the weekend of April 21 and 22.
A council spokesman said health and education checks had to be conducted before any procedures could be started to evict the group.
The council spokesman said: "Until we have done these checks, there's nothing else we can do."
Land earmarked as possible sites to set up new Travellers' camps - Somerset
From the Somerset Guardian
Plots of land at Radstock, Camerton and Stanton Wick have been identified as possible Travellers' sites.
Council chiefs have pinpointed seven possible locations for authorised sites for Gypsies and Travellers amid concern that the area has none at the moment.
he past decade has seen about 20 unauthorised encampments in Bath and North East Somerset, which have angered neighbours and left taxpayers with a clearing-up bill.
A meeting on May 9 will discuss a draft consultation programme looking at the seven sites, not all of which would be finally chosen.
The sites are:
The former Radstock Infant School canteen (two permanent pitchers).
The Daglands open space at Camerton, which could accommodate nine permanent pitches
Old colliery buildings at Stanton Wick (15 permanent and five transit)
Land near Twerton Woods at Lower Bristol Road, where 15 transit places could be established
Land near Ellsbridge House at Keynsham (six permanent)
Land at Woollard Lane, Whitchurch (two permanent)
Station Road, Newbridge (one travelling Showmen's yard).
B&NES said that setting up formal pitches will strengthen its hand when it comes to dealing with illegal occupations and mean that users have to pay council tax.
It points out that it is the only authority in the west of England without official pitches and that once Bristol City Council established proper pitches, its annual enforcement costs plummeted from £200,000 to £5,000.
In all, it reckons it needs 22 permanent pitches, 20 transit pitches and one yard for fair operators – known as travelling Showmen.
A spokesman said: "These sites have the potential to deliver significantly higher numbers of pitches above the level of need. This allows the opportunity for open debate about where people think are the most suitable locations. No final decisions on which locations will be used have been taken."
Vice-chairman of the council's housing and major projects panel councillor Steve Hedges (Lib Dem, Odd Down) said: "I am pleased that the council is at last tackling this issue. This is the right thing to do. It will help us tackle the problems caused by illegal pitches and it will mean that the council is addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.
"Gypsies and Travellers are frequently victims of racism and discrimination and are often unable to access services such as schools for their children and healthcare."
The proposals have already drawn strong reactions from visitors in Stanton Wick.
At the weekend villagers held a meeting with MP Jacob Rees-Mogg to voice their concerns and a further meeting for residents has been planned for May 2 at 7.30pm in Stanton Drew village hall.
Concerns have also been raised by Tory councillors that some of the pitches been identified are in greenbelt areas even though the Government has specified that they should not be used as travellers' sites.
Councillor Francine Haeberling, B&NES Conservative Group leader, said: "We're concerned that the council has rushed out these proposals without taking account of the new Government guidelines published in recent weeks.
"Councils no longer have to abide by top-down Government targets for allocating Gypsy and Traveller sites, and can instead decide upon local need and work with neighbouring authorities to share the allocation.
"It appears that B&NES is not looking to work with our neighbouring authorities or review our area's local needs in light of this.
"Crucially, the Government's new guidance also explicitly states that Traveller sites should be considered inappropriate development in the greenbelt, so we are very surprised that the B&NES proposals include greenbelt sites.
"Clearly the council needs to search for Traveller sites in order to protect against unauthorised pitches. This is something which all political parties have struggled to do since B&NES was created in 1996. However, if the allocation process is botched, or residents do not feel they are given a proper say, this could cause greater difficulty for the authority."
Conservatives have also questioned how much each Traveller pitch will cost, who will be expected to pay for the pitches, and how much council tax the council expects to collect from each.
After the council cabinet discuss the locations on May 9, there will be an eight-week consultation period, and the final list drawn up after a further meeting in December.
For more information visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/planningfortravellers.
Plots of land at Radstock, Camerton and Stanton Wick have been identified as possible Travellers' sites.
Council chiefs have pinpointed seven possible locations for authorised sites for Gypsies and Travellers amid concern that the area has none at the moment.
he past decade has seen about 20 unauthorised encampments in Bath and North East Somerset, which have angered neighbours and left taxpayers with a clearing-up bill.
A meeting on May 9 will discuss a draft consultation programme looking at the seven sites, not all of which would be finally chosen.
The sites are:
The former Radstock Infant School canteen (two permanent pitchers).
The Daglands open space at Camerton, which could accommodate nine permanent pitches
Old colliery buildings at Stanton Wick (15 permanent and five transit)
Land near Twerton Woods at Lower Bristol Road, where 15 transit places could be established
Land near Ellsbridge House at Keynsham (six permanent)
Land at Woollard Lane, Whitchurch (two permanent)
Station Road, Newbridge (one travelling Showmen's yard).
B&NES said that setting up formal pitches will strengthen its hand when it comes to dealing with illegal occupations and mean that users have to pay council tax.
It points out that it is the only authority in the west of England without official pitches and that once Bristol City Council established proper pitches, its annual enforcement costs plummeted from £200,000 to £5,000.
In all, it reckons it needs 22 permanent pitches, 20 transit pitches and one yard for fair operators – known as travelling Showmen.
A spokesman said: "These sites have the potential to deliver significantly higher numbers of pitches above the level of need. This allows the opportunity for open debate about where people think are the most suitable locations. No final decisions on which locations will be used have been taken."
Vice-chairman of the council's housing and major projects panel councillor Steve Hedges (Lib Dem, Odd Down) said: "I am pleased that the council is at last tackling this issue. This is the right thing to do. It will help us tackle the problems caused by illegal pitches and it will mean that the council is addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.
"Gypsies and Travellers are frequently victims of racism and discrimination and are often unable to access services such as schools for their children and healthcare."
The proposals have already drawn strong reactions from visitors in Stanton Wick.
At the weekend villagers held a meeting with MP Jacob Rees-Mogg to voice their concerns and a further meeting for residents has been planned for May 2 at 7.30pm in Stanton Drew village hall.
Concerns have also been raised by Tory councillors that some of the pitches been identified are in greenbelt areas even though the Government has specified that they should not be used as travellers' sites.
Councillor Francine Haeberling, B&NES Conservative Group leader, said: "We're concerned that the council has rushed out these proposals without taking account of the new Government guidelines published in recent weeks.
"Councils no longer have to abide by top-down Government targets for allocating Gypsy and Traveller sites, and can instead decide upon local need and work with neighbouring authorities to share the allocation.
"It appears that B&NES is not looking to work with our neighbouring authorities or review our area's local needs in light of this.
"Crucially, the Government's new guidance also explicitly states that Traveller sites should be considered inappropriate development in the greenbelt, so we are very surprised that the B&NES proposals include greenbelt sites.
"Clearly the council needs to search for Traveller sites in order to protect against unauthorised pitches. This is something which all political parties have struggled to do since B&NES was created in 1996. However, if the allocation process is botched, or residents do not feel they are given a proper say, this could cause greater difficulty for the authority."
Conservatives have also questioned how much each Traveller pitch will cost, who will be expected to pay for the pitches, and how much council tax the council expects to collect from each.
After the council cabinet discuss the locations on May 9, there will be an eight-week consultation period, and the final list drawn up after a further meeting in December.
For more information visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/planningfortravellers.
Travellers leave camp and move out of town - Cheshire
From This Is Cheshire
AFTER weeks of court orders and hopping from one site to another a group of Travellers are thought to have finally left the town.
Warrington magistrates had ordered the group to leave land off Silver Lane, Risley and Warrington Road, Birchwood, before Easter.
The Travellers were then accused of breaking into the former Oliver Plunkett School site and Shaw Street Rec in Culcheth before setting up camp on private land in Glazebury.
It is understood they have now returned to the Accrington area of Lancashire.
Chief Inspector Jon Ward said: “We have Travellers who come through Warrington fairly regularly because of its position in the north west.
“And we have a Gypsy/Traveller liaison officer, a PC, who works with those communities.
“There are different ways of dealing with the situation. Private landlords get injunctions and then have the power to get bailiffs.
“If they are on council-owned land, it is a similar situation.”
He said police start with negotiations but do have stronger powers to evict if necessary – although that was not needed in this case.
He added: “We deal with each situation individually but on this occasion we didn’t have to move to evict because of the negotiations, the group agreed to move.
“We often will deal with the same communities and the Travellers are like any community. Most people are peaceful who go about their daily lives. They are a minority group and we have a responsibility under the race relations act to work with them.”
A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said they deal with issues on a case by case basis and took out a number of injunctions over the past few weeks.
AFTER weeks of court orders and hopping from one site to another a group of Travellers are thought to have finally left the town.
Warrington magistrates had ordered the group to leave land off Silver Lane, Risley and Warrington Road, Birchwood, before Easter.
The Travellers were then accused of breaking into the former Oliver Plunkett School site and Shaw Street Rec in Culcheth before setting up camp on private land in Glazebury.
It is understood they have now returned to the Accrington area of Lancashire.
Chief Inspector Jon Ward said: “We have Travellers who come through Warrington fairly regularly because of its position in the north west.
“And we have a Gypsy/Traveller liaison officer, a PC, who works with those communities.
“There are different ways of dealing with the situation. Private landlords get injunctions and then have the power to get bailiffs.
“If they are on council-owned land, it is a similar situation.”
He said police start with negotiations but do have stronger powers to evict if necessary – although that was not needed in this case.
He added: “We deal with each situation individually but on this occasion we didn’t have to move to evict because of the negotiations, the group agreed to move.
“We often will deal with the same communities and the Travellers are like any community. Most people are peaceful who go about their daily lives. They are a minority group and we have a responsibility under the race relations act to work with them.”
A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council said they deal with issues on a case by case basis and took out a number of injunctions over the past few weeks.
Travellers threatened with legal action after setting up camp in Aberdeen
From the Evening Express
THE Forestry Commission has threatened legal action against a group of Travellers, camped in Aberdeen, unless they move on by the end of the week.
Four caravans have parked at the Countesswells site, between Cults and Kingswells.
Parking charges of up to £2 a day were introduced at the start of April to help maintain the beauty spot but a Forestry Commission spokesman said the group of Travellers had not bought tickets and have been asked to leave by Saturday.
THE Forestry Commission has threatened legal action against a group of Travellers, camped in Aberdeen, unless they move on by the end of the week.
Four caravans have parked at the Countesswells site, between Cults and Kingswells.
Parking charges of up to £2 a day were introduced at the start of April to help maintain the beauty spot but a Forestry Commission spokesman said the group of Travellers had not bought tickets and have been asked to leave by Saturday.
Court action sought to evict ‘illegal’ Travellers from Deeside Leisure Centre - Flintshire
From the Flintshire Chronicle
COUNCIL bosses are making a legal bid to evict Travellers ‘illegally’ camped on the car park of Deeside Leisure Centre.
Half a dozen caravans pitched up at the rear the venue in Queensferry, and Flintshire County Council chiefs want court action to kick them off.
It is not known when the new arrivals moved onto the land, but staff and the public spotted them on Saturday.
Deeside councillor Bernie Attridge said the council was failing to provide enough pitches for Gypsies and Travellers.
He said he had already been calling for the 30 pitches at Riverside Caravan Park in Queensferry to be extended by ‘70 or 80’, with facilities in place so any new groups could be moved straight onto them.
Cllr Attridge claims the authority could now face an ‘expensive and lengthy’ legal battle to seek an injunction to move the Travellers on if they don’t go voluntarily.
He said Flintshire County Council cannot ‘bury its head in the sand’ over the issue.
But deputy council leader Tony Sharps hit back, saying the official Queensferry site could not be extended because it is near the Aston Hill improvements.
He also said the authority had already been trying to find extra space for new Travellers.
“We have been on the case for some time,” he said.
“Talks have been going on with the Welsh Assembly Government as regards new access in the Queensferry area.
“It’s just unfortunate that they have decided to trespass next to the finest leisure centre in the UK.”
A council spokesman said: “An application has been made to the courts for the repossession of the area of land at Deeside Leisure Centre which is currently being occupied illegally.
COUNCIL bosses are making a legal bid to evict Travellers ‘illegally’ camped on the car park of Deeside Leisure Centre.
Half a dozen caravans pitched up at the rear the venue in Queensferry, and Flintshire County Council chiefs want court action to kick them off.
It is not known when the new arrivals moved onto the land, but staff and the public spotted them on Saturday.
Deeside councillor Bernie Attridge said the council was failing to provide enough pitches for Gypsies and Travellers.
He said he had already been calling for the 30 pitches at Riverside Caravan Park in Queensferry to be extended by ‘70 or 80’, with facilities in place so any new groups could be moved straight onto them.
Cllr Attridge claims the authority could now face an ‘expensive and lengthy’ legal battle to seek an injunction to move the Travellers on if they don’t go voluntarily.
He said Flintshire County Council cannot ‘bury its head in the sand’ over the issue.
But deputy council leader Tony Sharps hit back, saying the official Queensferry site could not be extended because it is near the Aston Hill improvements.
He also said the authority had already been trying to find extra space for new Travellers.
“We have been on the case for some time,” he said.
“Talks have been going on with the Welsh Assembly Government as regards new access in the Queensferry area.
“It’s just unfortunate that they have decided to trespass next to the finest leisure centre in the UK.”
A council spokesman said: “An application has been made to the courts for the repossession of the area of land at Deeside Leisure Centre which is currently being occupied illegally.
Travellers return to Fareham site - Hampshire
From the News
TRAVELLERS have set up camp in the car park of a bankrupt DIY store for the second time in seven months.
The caravans arrived at the former Focus store on Newgate Lane in Fareham yesterday.
But steps have already been taken to move them on.
Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: ‘Obviously this isn’t as easy for us to deal with as when they’re on council land because this is private property.
‘We have been in touch with the landowners and we will give all the advice we can, but it is down to them to move them on.’
The car park has been used by Travellers before – several caravans stopped there last September.
see also: The News - Travellers move in to car park at bankrupt DIY store site in Fareham
TRAVELLERS have set up camp in the car park of a bankrupt DIY store for the second time in seven months.
The caravans arrived at the former Focus store on Newgate Lane in Fareham yesterday.
But steps have already been taken to move them on.
Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: ‘Obviously this isn’t as easy for us to deal with as when they’re on council land because this is private property.
‘We have been in touch with the landowners and we will give all the advice we can, but it is down to them to move them on.’
The car park has been used by Travellers before – several caravans stopped there last September.
see also: The News - Travellers move in to car park at bankrupt DIY store site in Fareham
Beaumont Leys chosen for all three Travellers' sites in Leicester
From the Leicester Mercury
All three permanent Traveller sites planned for Leicester will be in Beaumont Leys, it has been announced.
The city council had short-listed eight sites – seven in Beaumont Leys and one in Aylestone – which it said could be suitable for the camps.
But city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has now ruled out land in Montrose Road, Aylestone.
He said: "The prevalence of unauthorised encampments in Leicester clearly indicates that there is a trend in the area, and it is a problem specific to the wards of Abbey and Beaumont Leys.
"I have stated throughout that it is my belief that a suitable solution must be provided in the area most affected by the problem."
Craig Hewitt, Wigston Lane, near to the land in Aylestone, said: "I'm happy. A lot of people were worried about a gypsy camp being created here."
A resident of Montrose Road, who did not want to be named, said: "A Gypsy site would have killed house prices around here so we're glad the idea has been nipped in the bud."
A final decision on exactly where to create council-run Traveller sites will be made later this year.
Three plots of land in Beaumont Leys were announced as the council's preferred sites back in February. However, following public anger, the mayor passed the short-list of eight sites to a panel of councillors to scrutinise.
They will eventually make their recommendations to the mayor, who will make the final decision.
Sir Peter said he was still focused on the original three sites – Greengate Way, Beaumont Way and Red Hill Way – but was keeping an open mind.
The other sites on the list are Heacham Drive, Tilling Road, Thurcaston Road and Strasbourg Drive. The eventual sites chosen will cater for about 26 families in total.
Ian Carver, 52, who lives off Strasbourg Drive in Beaumont Leys, said: "It's frustrating that all the sites are likely to be in Beaumont Leys, but I can understand the reasoning as that's where the problem is."
The travellers on the new sites would mostly be temporary tenants, paying rent, council tax and charges for gas, electricity and water. The camps would be set up using more than £1.5 million of Government cash.
Sue Waddington, who chairs the panel scrutinising the potential sites, said: "We'll thoroughly deliberate all of the options before presenting our findings to the mayor, but at the end of the day he's got the final decision on all of this."
The consultation ends on July 13. Have your say at:
www.leicester.gov.uk/gypsyandtravellersites
All three permanent Traveller sites planned for Leicester will be in Beaumont Leys, it has been announced.
The city council had short-listed eight sites – seven in Beaumont Leys and one in Aylestone – which it said could be suitable for the camps.
But city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has now ruled out land in Montrose Road, Aylestone.
He said: "The prevalence of unauthorised encampments in Leicester clearly indicates that there is a trend in the area, and it is a problem specific to the wards of Abbey and Beaumont Leys.
"I have stated throughout that it is my belief that a suitable solution must be provided in the area most affected by the problem."
Craig Hewitt, Wigston Lane, near to the land in Aylestone, said: "I'm happy. A lot of people were worried about a gypsy camp being created here."
A resident of Montrose Road, who did not want to be named, said: "A Gypsy site would have killed house prices around here so we're glad the idea has been nipped in the bud."
A final decision on exactly where to create council-run Traveller sites will be made later this year.
Three plots of land in Beaumont Leys were announced as the council's preferred sites back in February. However, following public anger, the mayor passed the short-list of eight sites to a panel of councillors to scrutinise.
They will eventually make their recommendations to the mayor, who will make the final decision.
Sir Peter said he was still focused on the original three sites – Greengate Way, Beaumont Way and Red Hill Way – but was keeping an open mind.
The other sites on the list are Heacham Drive, Tilling Road, Thurcaston Road and Strasbourg Drive. The eventual sites chosen will cater for about 26 families in total.
Ian Carver, 52, who lives off Strasbourg Drive in Beaumont Leys, said: "It's frustrating that all the sites are likely to be in Beaumont Leys, but I can understand the reasoning as that's where the problem is."
The travellers on the new sites would mostly be temporary tenants, paying rent, council tax and charges for gas, electricity and water. The camps would be set up using more than £1.5 million of Government cash.
Sue Waddington, who chairs the panel scrutinising the potential sites, said: "We'll thoroughly deliberate all of the options before presenting our findings to the mayor, but at the end of the day he's got the final decision on all of this."
The consultation ends on July 13. Have your say at:
www.leicester.gov.uk/gypsyandtravellersites
Bath Travellers site could become permanent despite objections
From the Bath Echo
A makeshift travellers site in Twerton could become a more permanent facility after council chiefs pinpointed it as one of the seven possible locations for Gypsies and Travellers.
Plots of land at Twerton and Newbridge have been identified as possible Travellers sites for Bath, which has no official pitches at the moment.
One site which is being looked at is land near Twerton Woods at Lower Bristol Road, where 15 transit places could be established.
The site is currently being used by Travellers who have been there for well over a year but the suggestion that it should be made more permanent has sparked a mixed reaction from neighbours.
Steve Williams, who lives behind the site, said: “My main concern would be the rubbish. It’s a mess down there at the moment.”
Wendy Delve, who has lived in Redland Park for 38 years, said the people living there at the moment had never caused any problems.
She said: “As long as they tidy it up, it is fine by me.
“We have had Travellers over there and nearby and they have been no problem whatsoever.”
Lindi Ford of Redland Park agreed that any site would need to be tidy.
She said: “I don’t want it to be an official site.
“I do walk the dog on the fields and the children play there too, it is a concern.
“When I drive past the site that’s there at the moment it is covered in mess.
“It will just look awful, it is one of the main entrances into Bath.”
A Bath and North East Somerset Council meeting on May 9 will discuss a draft consultation programme looking at the seven sites, not all of which would be finally chosen.
Councillor Tim Ball (Lib Dem, Twerton), who is also cabinet member for homes and planning, said the site in Twerton met many of the criteria the authority was looking for.
He said: “It is an illegal site at the moment and is quite messy.
“The problem is B&NES doesn’t have any Traveller sites.
“I would much rather see a cleaner site there permanently to provide homes for Travellers.”
He added: “It is far enough out, it’s away from properties, it’s on a bus route, it’s close access to local shops and is close access to local schools, so it ticks the right criteria.
“We hope the majority of people will appreciate we have an obligation to house local travellers.”
The other sites being looked at include plots at Camerton, Keynsham, Stanton Wick, Radstock and Whitchurch, while land at Station Road in Newbridge has been identified as a possible travelling showmen’s yard.
The council said setting up formal pitches would strengthen its hand when it came to dealing with illegal occupations and mean that users have to pay council tax.
Opposition Conservative councillors have raised a number of questions about the proposals and have voiced concerns that some of the sites proposed are within the green belt, which the Government has said should not be used for such sites.
Group leader Councillor Francine Haeberling (Con, Saltford) said: “We’re concerned that the council has rushed out these proposals without taking account of the new Government guidelines published in recent weeks.”
Tories have also questioned the cost of the pitches and asked how much council tax the authority expects to collect from each site.
A makeshift travellers site in Twerton could become a more permanent facility after council chiefs pinpointed it as one of the seven possible locations for Gypsies and Travellers.
Plots of land at Twerton and Newbridge have been identified as possible Travellers sites for Bath, which has no official pitches at the moment.
One site which is being looked at is land near Twerton Woods at Lower Bristol Road, where 15 transit places could be established.
The site is currently being used by Travellers who have been there for well over a year but the suggestion that it should be made more permanent has sparked a mixed reaction from neighbours.
Steve Williams, who lives behind the site, said: “My main concern would be the rubbish. It’s a mess down there at the moment.”
Wendy Delve, who has lived in Redland Park for 38 years, said the people living there at the moment had never caused any problems.
She said: “As long as they tidy it up, it is fine by me.
“We have had Travellers over there and nearby and they have been no problem whatsoever.”
Lindi Ford of Redland Park agreed that any site would need to be tidy.
She said: “I don’t want it to be an official site.
“I do walk the dog on the fields and the children play there too, it is a concern.
“When I drive past the site that’s there at the moment it is covered in mess.
“It will just look awful, it is one of the main entrances into Bath.”
A Bath and North East Somerset Council meeting on May 9 will discuss a draft consultation programme looking at the seven sites, not all of which would be finally chosen.
Councillor Tim Ball (Lib Dem, Twerton), who is also cabinet member for homes and planning, said the site in Twerton met many of the criteria the authority was looking for.
He said: “It is an illegal site at the moment and is quite messy.
“The problem is B&NES doesn’t have any Traveller sites.
“I would much rather see a cleaner site there permanently to provide homes for Travellers.”
He added: “It is far enough out, it’s away from properties, it’s on a bus route, it’s close access to local shops and is close access to local schools, so it ticks the right criteria.
“We hope the majority of people will appreciate we have an obligation to house local travellers.”
The other sites being looked at include plots at Camerton, Keynsham, Stanton Wick, Radstock and Whitchurch, while land at Station Road in Newbridge has been identified as a possible travelling showmen’s yard.
The council said setting up formal pitches would strengthen its hand when it came to dealing with illegal occupations and mean that users have to pay council tax.
Opposition Conservative councillors have raised a number of questions about the proposals and have voiced concerns that some of the sites proposed are within the green belt, which the Government has said should not be used for such sites.
Group leader Councillor Francine Haeberling (Con, Saltford) said: “We’re concerned that the council has rushed out these proposals without taking account of the new Government guidelines published in recent weeks.”
Tories have also questioned the cost of the pitches and asked how much council tax the authority expects to collect from each site.
Land offer for Gypsy family - Yorkshire
From the Northern Echo
AN ENFORCEMENT officer appalled by last year’s mass evictions from the UK’s largest travellers’ site in Essex, is inviting a Gypsy family from the region to live on his land.
The 58-year-old grandfather, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “I thought it would be good to provide a Gypsy family genuinely in need with a fixed address so they can enjoy basic rights.
“I have seen the accommodation need there is for Gypsy families, who have unfairly been tarred with the same brush, and if local government doesn’t solve this issue it will end up with our grandchildren dealing with it.”
The former Thirsk School pupil said he wants to sell or rent the plot to Gypsies who could either live in their own caravan or use an existing caravan on the site.
He is due to lodge a planning application with Hambleton District Council for residential use of his one-acre smallholding a mile from Northallerton.
“It is an idyllic and secluded site and while I will miss it after having had it for 12 years, I would like to see a decent family being able to enjoy living there,” he said.
Planning consultant David Stovell, who is acting on his behalf, said: “There is a need for Gypsy sites near Northallerton to relieve the pressure on public sites which have their own management problems.”
Joseph Jones, chairman of the Gypsy Council of Great Britain, welcomed the potential new site, saying he received daily calls from families wanting a place to live.
He said: “Usually sites that come up are beside railways, under motorways or beside rubbish dumps, where no one would be expected to live.”
Any Gypsy family interested in living on the land can write to Mr Stovell, 5 Brentnall Centre, Brentnall Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 5AP or call 01642-232397.
AN ENFORCEMENT officer appalled by last year’s mass evictions from the UK’s largest travellers’ site in Essex, is inviting a Gypsy family from the region to live on his land.
The 58-year-old grandfather, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who wants to remain anonymous, said: “I thought it would be good to provide a Gypsy family genuinely in need with a fixed address so they can enjoy basic rights.
“I have seen the accommodation need there is for Gypsy families, who have unfairly been tarred with the same brush, and if local government doesn’t solve this issue it will end up with our grandchildren dealing with it.”
The former Thirsk School pupil said he wants to sell or rent the plot to Gypsies who could either live in their own caravan or use an existing caravan on the site.
He is due to lodge a planning application with Hambleton District Council for residential use of his one-acre smallholding a mile from Northallerton.
“It is an idyllic and secluded site and while I will miss it after having had it for 12 years, I would like to see a decent family being able to enjoy living there,” he said.
Planning consultant David Stovell, who is acting on his behalf, said: “There is a need for Gypsy sites near Northallerton to relieve the pressure on public sites which have their own management problems.”
Joseph Jones, chairman of the Gypsy Council of Great Britain, welcomed the potential new site, saying he received daily calls from families wanting a place to live.
He said: “Usually sites that come up are beside railways, under motorways or beside rubbish dumps, where no one would be expected to live.”
Any Gypsy family interested in living on the land can write to Mr Stovell, 5 Brentnall Centre, Brentnall Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 5AP or call 01642-232397.
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Flintshire Travellers ‘have nowhere to go’
From the Leader
A FAMILY of Travellers facing eviction from an illegal site have said they have nowhere else to go.
Flintshire Council is taking action to remove six caravans from Deeside Leisure Centre and it is expected they could be moved within days.
But Margaret Jones, 63, who lives on the site with nine other travellers, said there was a lack of permanent sites.
She said: “All the permanent sites are full up. There is nowhere else for us to go. There is a problem in the county to find sites to go to, we would like to see more done.”
Flintshire Council has made an application to the courts for the repossession of the land at the leisure centre.
As of January there were four authorised and two unauthorised Gypsy camps in Flintshire, this compares with three authorised and two unauthorised sites in Wrexham.
Neither Denbighshire or Conwy have sites for travellers.
Mrs Jones said members of the Gypsy community are often moved on as soon as they find a site to occupy and said it was “difficult”.
She said: “It is a problem. There is nowhere else to go. There are only adults here, no children. There is no harm being done. We make sure all the rubbish is collected.
“We are a very close knit group on this site, we are all one family.
“If we could find a permanent site, we could have a better quality of life, we could get access to doctors and other facilities.
“On permanent sites you can make sure the children can go to schools.
“There is a lack of action not just in Flintshire but across the country.”
Mrs Jones said the family had been living on land near Queensferry B&Q for the previous three months and had not identified a site to move to after leaving the leisure centre.
A number of complaints have been received by the council about the site.
Flintshire Council is currently involved in a review on the needs of the Traveller community which is ongoing in North Wales.
LAST month it was revealed plans for a Gypsy site off Magazine Lane, Ewloe, were set to go to a public inquiry.
An application by Martin Rooney to build a five-caravan site drew more than 270 objections when it was first lodged in August 2010 and was thrown out by a Flintshire Council planning committee in January.
But Mr Rooney has since appealed and a public inquiry is scheduled to take place in July.
A FAMILY of Travellers facing eviction from an illegal site have said they have nowhere else to go.
Flintshire Council is taking action to remove six caravans from Deeside Leisure Centre and it is expected they could be moved within days.
But Margaret Jones, 63, who lives on the site with nine other travellers, said there was a lack of permanent sites.
She said: “All the permanent sites are full up. There is nowhere else for us to go. There is a problem in the county to find sites to go to, we would like to see more done.”
Flintshire Council has made an application to the courts for the repossession of the land at the leisure centre.
As of January there were four authorised and two unauthorised Gypsy camps in Flintshire, this compares with three authorised and two unauthorised sites in Wrexham.
Neither Denbighshire or Conwy have sites for travellers.
Mrs Jones said members of the Gypsy community are often moved on as soon as they find a site to occupy and said it was “difficult”.
She said: “It is a problem. There is nowhere else to go. There are only adults here, no children. There is no harm being done. We make sure all the rubbish is collected.
“We are a very close knit group on this site, we are all one family.
“If we could find a permanent site, we could have a better quality of life, we could get access to doctors and other facilities.
“On permanent sites you can make sure the children can go to schools.
“There is a lack of action not just in Flintshire but across the country.”
Mrs Jones said the family had been living on land near Queensferry B&Q for the previous three months and had not identified a site to move to after leaving the leisure centre.
A number of complaints have been received by the council about the site.
Flintshire Council is currently involved in a review on the needs of the Traveller community which is ongoing in North Wales.
LAST month it was revealed plans for a Gypsy site off Magazine Lane, Ewloe, were set to go to a public inquiry.
An application by Martin Rooney to build a five-caravan site drew more than 270 objections when it was first lodged in August 2010 and was thrown out by a Flintshire Council planning committee in January.
But Mr Rooney has since appealed and a public inquiry is scheduled to take place in July.
Traveller family banned from all council land in Tendring - Essex
From the Clacton
A FAMILY of Travellers have been banned from all council-owned land in Tendring for three years.
The Travellers tried to set up home on four Tendring Council owned sites over the past month.
But following a hearing at Colchester County Court today, a judge issued an order banning them from the council’s land.
The family moved onto open space at York Road, Holland-on-Sea, ythis morning, having spent the previous week at a site 600 metres away in Brighton Road.
Tendring Council was due to submitting papers for repossession of the Brighton Road site when it discovered the family had left and gone to York Road, following which the council made the application for all of its land.
Nick Turner, cabinet member for the environment, said he is delighted with the judgement.
“It now means that with the order in place we will be able to move this particular family on immediately using bailiffs should they set up home on any of our sites within the next three years,” he said.
“All four locations they have chosen have been in high profile tourist areas and we have acted swiftly in each case.”
The two caravans and three vehicles initially turned up at the Naze Car Park, in Walton, but were told to move on.
They then took up residence on Walton’s Bath House Meadow.
Tendring Council said an officer spoke to the family, which had no intention of leaving.
But after paperwork was prepared and submitted for court action the family moved on - only as far as Brighton Road.
The council, which served the court papers on the family yesterday afternoon, said it is now looking to help find a suitable site for the family within the district.
A FAMILY of Travellers have been banned from all council-owned land in Tendring for three years.
The Travellers tried to set up home on four Tendring Council owned sites over the past month.
But following a hearing at Colchester County Court today, a judge issued an order banning them from the council’s land.
The family moved onto open space at York Road, Holland-on-Sea, ythis morning, having spent the previous week at a site 600 metres away in Brighton Road.
Tendring Council was due to submitting papers for repossession of the Brighton Road site when it discovered the family had left and gone to York Road, following which the council made the application for all of its land.
Nick Turner, cabinet member for the environment, said he is delighted with the judgement.
“It now means that with the order in place we will be able to move this particular family on immediately using bailiffs should they set up home on any of our sites within the next three years,” he said.
“All four locations they have chosen have been in high profile tourist areas and we have acted swiftly in each case.”
The two caravans and three vehicles initially turned up at the Naze Car Park, in Walton, but were told to move on.
They then took up residence on Walton’s Bath House Meadow.
Tendring Council said an officer spoke to the family, which had no intention of leaving.
But after paperwork was prepared and submitted for court action the family moved on - only as far as Brighton Road.
The council, which served the court papers on the family yesterday afternoon, said it is now looking to help find a suitable site for the family within the district.
Relief as Travellers leave car park site - Moray
From the Forres Gazette
TRAVELLERS who had been camped on the New Forres Wood car park, by the Muiry Woodlands left over the weekend.
Woodlands spokesman Iain Suttie said that they were relieved that the Travellers have moved on, and keen to get the woodland walks re-opened to local people as soon as possible.
“They were still there on Saturday teatime,” he said, “so I didn’t think they would be going anywhere, but by Sunday they had left.”
The Travellers had been camped on two car parks which are located on opposite sides of the road, by the woodlands - The Muiry Wood and New Forres Wood car parks.
They recently vacated one of the sites after heavy snowfall, following drainage problems. Some moved onto the one site and others appeared to set up camp at the old Tesco site as a temporary measure, moving after 24 hours.
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust who own and manage the woodlands car parks contacted Moray Council as so much mess was left behind.
A council spokesman said that they had asked the Travellers to return and clear up the mess, which they had done.
Mr Suttie confirmed that the most recently vacated second site wasn’t left in a bad condition, and they were now pulling out all the stops to get it re-opened.
“We want to get it open to the public as soon as possible now,” he said. “We will be doing some temporary repairs to paths, and hope to get it open as soon as possible.”
Mr Suttie said he had already informed staff at the nearby Cathay Nursing Home they could resume using the woodland walks. A path with disabled access by the New Forres Wood Car park, had ben out of action, due to the fact that Travellers vehicles were parked across the entrance.
TRAVELLERS who had been camped on the New Forres Wood car park, by the Muiry Woodlands left over the weekend.
Woodlands spokesman Iain Suttie said that they were relieved that the Travellers have moved on, and keen to get the woodland walks re-opened to local people as soon as possible.
“They were still there on Saturday teatime,” he said, “so I didn’t think they would be going anywhere, but by Sunday they had left.”
The Travellers had been camped on two car parks which are located on opposite sides of the road, by the woodlands - The Muiry Wood and New Forres Wood car parks.
They recently vacated one of the sites after heavy snowfall, following drainage problems. Some moved onto the one site and others appeared to set up camp at the old Tesco site as a temporary measure, moving after 24 hours.
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust who own and manage the woodlands car parks contacted Moray Council as so much mess was left behind.
A council spokesman said that they had asked the Travellers to return and clear up the mess, which they had done.
Mr Suttie confirmed that the most recently vacated second site wasn’t left in a bad condition, and they were now pulling out all the stops to get it re-opened.
“We want to get it open to the public as soon as possible now,” he said. “We will be doing some temporary repairs to paths, and hope to get it open as soon as possible.”
Mr Suttie said he had already informed staff at the nearby Cathay Nursing Home they could resume using the woodland walks. A path with disabled access by the New Forres Wood Car park, had ben out of action, due to the fact that Travellers vehicles were parked across the entrance.
Court order forces Travellers off Burnley recreation group
From the
A LARGE group of Travellers have left a recreation ground after Burnley Borough Council obtained a court order to move them on.
The Burnley Express reported on Friday that around 30 caravans and vehicles had set up camp on the Hargher Clough recreation ground, outside Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre in Venice Street.
The Travellers left the site on Sunday leaving behind several black bin bags of rubbish.
Angry residents accused Burnley Council of leaving the site open following a funfair but council bosses insisted a padlocked gate had been illegally cut open.
Andrew Leah, Property Services manager for Burnley Council, said: “The site in question is Burnley Council owned, and therefore we obtained a possession order from court to allow us to take legal action to remove the travellers. The gate in question was securely locked by our parks team after the fair, and it would appear that this has been cut off at some point after this.”
The council has also acted to ensure the travellers do not set up camp illegally elsewhere in the town. Mr Mick Cartledge, director of community services, said: “Past experience tells us that unfortunately travellers tend to move off a site over a weekend and simply set up on another piece of land elsewhere in the borough.
“We are, therefore, taking action to try and prevent this from happening. We’ve taken a number of short-term measures to secure a number of council owned sites. This means that both the Riverside and nine-hole car parks at Towneley won’t be available to the public for a short time. We realise this will cause some inconvenience but we feel it’s important to try and keep these sites secure to avoid longer-term disruption if Travellers were allowed to set up home on them.
“The sad fact is that it’s very difficult to make sites absolutely secure, particularly when people are willing to use angle grinders and other equipment to force entry, but the council is doing all it can to secure its sites to prevent travellers getting onto them.
“We took this approach at Hargher Clough where we did all we could to keep the recreation ground secure. I can assure residents that fencing was replaced after the recent fairground, but subsequent to this, a section of railing was stolen and the council then put a large boulder in the gap until the railings were replaced, at which point the boulder was removed. The site was secure but unfortunately a padlock on the gates to the car park was cut off.”
A LARGE group of Travellers have left a recreation ground after Burnley Borough Council obtained a court order to move them on.
The Burnley Express reported on Friday that around 30 caravans and vehicles had set up camp on the Hargher Clough recreation ground, outside Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre in Venice Street.
The Travellers left the site on Sunday leaving behind several black bin bags of rubbish.
Angry residents accused Burnley Council of leaving the site open following a funfair but council bosses insisted a padlocked gate had been illegally cut open.
Andrew Leah, Property Services manager for Burnley Council, said: “The site in question is Burnley Council owned, and therefore we obtained a possession order from court to allow us to take legal action to remove the travellers. The gate in question was securely locked by our parks team after the fair, and it would appear that this has been cut off at some point after this.”
The council has also acted to ensure the travellers do not set up camp illegally elsewhere in the town. Mr Mick Cartledge, director of community services, said: “Past experience tells us that unfortunately travellers tend to move off a site over a weekend and simply set up on another piece of land elsewhere in the borough.
“We are, therefore, taking action to try and prevent this from happening. We’ve taken a number of short-term measures to secure a number of council owned sites. This means that both the Riverside and nine-hole car parks at Towneley won’t be available to the public for a short time. We realise this will cause some inconvenience but we feel it’s important to try and keep these sites secure to avoid longer-term disruption if Travellers were allowed to set up home on them.
“The sad fact is that it’s very difficult to make sites absolutely secure, particularly when people are willing to use angle grinders and other equipment to force entry, but the council is doing all it can to secure its sites to prevent travellers getting onto them.
“We took this approach at Hargher Clough where we did all we could to keep the recreation ground secure. I can assure residents that fencing was replaced after the recent fairground, but subsequent to this, a section of railing was stolen and the council then put a large boulder in the gap until the railings were replaced, at which point the boulder was removed. The site was secure but unfortunately a padlock on the gates to the car park was cut off.”
Cheshire East Council pledges to help find housing for Travellers
From the Crewe Chronicle
CHESHIRE East Council has vowed to work more closely with both the private sector and registered social landlords to address the housing needs of Gypsies and Travellers.
The council, which on Thursday (April 19) withdrew its planning application for a site on Parkers Road in Crewe, is studying the Government’s new planning policy for Traveller sites, which gives greater scope for local authorities to carry out their own assessments of site provision.
Cllr Rachel Bailey, cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “The Parkers Road application has been withdrawn to enable us to take stock of the new guidance and formulate a new approach.
“I would like to stress that the decision to withdraw the application has not disadvantaged Gypsies and Travellers in Cheshire East. Our aim is to work with the Gypsy and Traveller community and local residents to find a sustainable solution to the shortage in sites.”
Cllr Michael Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for resources, said: “The guidance has given us the opportunity to explore new innovative working relationships in the delivery of sites.
“We need to provide more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the same way we need to increase the number of new homes that are built. Therefore, it makes sense that we work with the same partners – namely the private sector and registered social landlords.”
CHESHIRE East Council has vowed to work more closely with both the private sector and registered social landlords to address the housing needs of Gypsies and Travellers.
The council, which on Thursday (April 19) withdrew its planning application for a site on Parkers Road in Crewe, is studying the Government’s new planning policy for Traveller sites, which gives greater scope for local authorities to carry out their own assessments of site provision.
Cllr Rachel Bailey, cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “The Parkers Road application has been withdrawn to enable us to take stock of the new guidance and formulate a new approach.
“I would like to stress that the decision to withdraw the application has not disadvantaged Gypsies and Travellers in Cheshire East. Our aim is to work with the Gypsy and Traveller community and local residents to find a sustainable solution to the shortage in sites.”
Cllr Michael Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for resources, said: “The guidance has given us the opportunity to explore new innovative working relationships in the delivery of sites.
“We need to provide more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the same way we need to increase the number of new homes that are built. Therefore, it makes sense that we work with the same partners – namely the private sector and registered social landlords.”
Travellers set up two new camps - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
TWO separate Traveller camps have been spotted in the North-east.
A group of six caravans has been seen in the Potterton area since Saturday, and there is another camp nearby.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said: “We are aware there are currently two Traveller encampments in the Potterton area and will be monitoring the situation.”
TWO separate Traveller camps have been spotted in the North-east.
A group of six caravans has been seen in the Potterton area since Saturday, and there is another camp nearby.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said: “We are aware there are currently two Traveller encampments in the Potterton area and will be monitoring the situation.”
Legal bid to move Travellers - Hampshire
From the Southern Daily Record
LEGAL moves have begun to move a group of Travellers from an illegal camp near Micheldever Station after 12 months.
The group is on a former county council depot at the junction of Andover Road and the A30. A court hearing is due on June 6.
LEGAL moves have begun to move a group of Travellers from an illegal camp near Micheldever Station after 12 months.
The group is on a former county council depot at the junction of Andover Road and the A30. A court hearing is due on June 6.
Campaigners celebrate after Cheshire East withdraws Crewe Gypsy site application
JUBILANT campaigners cheered and applauded as Cheshire East Council announced it was scrapping plans to set up a Gypsy site on Parkers Road.
Applause rang out from the public gallery at the full council meeting as Conservative group leader Michael Jones announced to the chamber: “I’m pleased to say we will remove the planning application for Parkers Road.”
He continued: “We have listened to your campaign and we have now got a way forward. We will work hard to find sites for all our Gypsy and Traveller needs but in a different way.”
Cllr David Newton (Lab) said he could not understand why the council had not voted in favour of scrapping the application at the last council meeting when the proposal had been put forward by himself and Cllr Peggy Martin.
“It is not an appropriate site and never was,” said Cllr Newton.
Cllr Derek Hough (Lib Dem) said he feared scrapping plans for the site would lead to more ‘illegal’ encampments.
“When I first saw this motion (to withdraw the application) I was extremely disappointed,” said Cllr Hough.
He added: “I’m aware everybody campaigned very hard but it’s not difficult to work up a depth of feeling against this community so my initial reaction is very disappointed. I think we are letting down a section of our community and not giving them any help at all. I think they will continue to occupy illegal sites. I don’t think this is the way I would like the situation to be addressed.”
Cllr Paul Edwards (Middlewich First) agreed: “We’re going to get many more of these unauthorised sites until we get a policy in place.”
Cllr Chris Thorley (Lab) said: “Seven thousand people in Coppenhall East and West aren’t disappointed. They’re highly delighted with this. This is an application for a site that should never have taken place in the first place. I congratulate everyone that has taken part in fighting this application. Well done all of you.”
At this the chamber, made up mainly of Crewe Against Travellers Sites supporters, erupted in applause again.
Cllr Michael Jones told them: “This is a big effort by you. Also Cllr Derek Bebbington worked very hard on this.”
The majority of councillors voted in favour of withdrawing the application. Three, including Cllr Hough, abstained.
Applause rang out from the public gallery at the full council meeting as Conservative group leader Michael Jones announced to the chamber: “I’m pleased to say we will remove the planning application for Parkers Road.”
He continued: “We have listened to your campaign and we have now got a way forward. We will work hard to find sites for all our Gypsy and Traveller needs but in a different way.”
Cllr David Newton (Lab) said he could not understand why the council had not voted in favour of scrapping the application at the last council meeting when the proposal had been put forward by himself and Cllr Peggy Martin.
“It is not an appropriate site and never was,” said Cllr Newton.
Cllr Derek Hough (Lib Dem) said he feared scrapping plans for the site would lead to more ‘illegal’ encampments.
“When I first saw this motion (to withdraw the application) I was extremely disappointed,” said Cllr Hough.
He added: “I’m aware everybody campaigned very hard but it’s not difficult to work up a depth of feeling against this community so my initial reaction is very disappointed. I think we are letting down a section of our community and not giving them any help at all. I think they will continue to occupy illegal sites. I don’t think this is the way I would like the situation to be addressed.”
Cllr Paul Edwards (Middlewich First) agreed: “We’re going to get many more of these unauthorised sites until we get a policy in place.”
Cllr Chris Thorley (Lab) said: “Seven thousand people in Coppenhall East and West aren’t disappointed. They’re highly delighted with this. This is an application for a site that should never have taken place in the first place. I congratulate everyone that has taken part in fighting this application. Well done all of you.”
At this the chamber, made up mainly of Crewe Against Travellers Sites supporters, erupted in applause again.
Cllr Michael Jones told them: “This is a big effort by you. Also Cllr Derek Bebbington worked very hard on this.”
The majority of councillors voted in favour of withdrawing the application. Three, including Cllr Hough, abstained.
City council's Linehouses Gypsy and Traveller site could be run by private firm -
From the Sentinel
A PRIVATE firm or social landlord could be brought in to run the city's only council-owned Gypsy and Travellers site.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has completed a review of the future management of the Linehouses Gypsy and Traveller site, overlooking Goldenhill and Tunstall.
A report will be presented to the members of the council's cabinet tomorrow, where councillors will be presented with five options for the future of the site, which has been there since the 1970s.
These include retaining the current set up, selling the site into private ownership or installing a caretaker to manage the site in-house.
However, the preferred option is to award a Services Concession Contract to look for a third party, possibly a social landlord or business, to sign a contract to run the facility.
Under such an arrangement, the provider would then be responsible for the site's finances; meaning they could decide how money raised from sources like rent should be used.
The council could impose measures to make sure it gets a slice of any substantial profits made to reinvest in other Gypsy pitches.
And the council would ultimately remain accountable for what goes on at the site.
A report to the committee states: "The managing agent would have significant financial responsibly and would carry a good degree of financial risk, reducing that burden on the council.
"There would be a high incentive for the managing agent to ensure full occupancy and stability on the site.
"The council would continue to have responsibility in relation to, for example, ensuring financial accountability and transparency and fit for purpose, equitable and transparent service provision and would, therefore, need to retain capacity to monitor the performance of the managing agency.
"It is anticipated that this option will be cost neutral to the authority."
The site has 33 permanent pitches and six transit pitches, along with associated amenity provision.
The site is usually fully occupied, turn-over of pitches is low and there are currently 137 residents living on the site.
The rental income when it is fully occupied is in the region of £137,000 per year.
For this financial year, rental income is in the region of £8,400 per calendar month, which will result in a total income for the year of approximately £100,800.
Current management arrangements at the site were established in 1996 following a protracted period where the area was subject to a number of anti-social problems.
Tom Simpson, Secretary of the Goldenhill and Sandyford Residents' Association, said: "If someone came in to manage the site, they would have to be sensitive and make sure it's run in the right way."
A PRIVATE firm or social landlord could be brought in to run the city's only council-owned Gypsy and Travellers site.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has completed a review of the future management of the Linehouses Gypsy and Traveller site, overlooking Goldenhill and Tunstall.
A report will be presented to the members of the council's cabinet tomorrow, where councillors will be presented with five options for the future of the site, which has been there since the 1970s.
These include retaining the current set up, selling the site into private ownership or installing a caretaker to manage the site in-house.
However, the preferred option is to award a Services Concession Contract to look for a third party, possibly a social landlord or business, to sign a contract to run the facility.
Under such an arrangement, the provider would then be responsible for the site's finances; meaning they could decide how money raised from sources like rent should be used.
The council could impose measures to make sure it gets a slice of any substantial profits made to reinvest in other Gypsy pitches.
And the council would ultimately remain accountable for what goes on at the site.
A report to the committee states: "The managing agent would have significant financial responsibly and would carry a good degree of financial risk, reducing that burden on the council.
"There would be a high incentive for the managing agent to ensure full occupancy and stability on the site.
"The council would continue to have responsibility in relation to, for example, ensuring financial accountability and transparency and fit for purpose, equitable and transparent service provision and would, therefore, need to retain capacity to monitor the performance of the managing agency.
"It is anticipated that this option will be cost neutral to the authority."
The site has 33 permanent pitches and six transit pitches, along with associated amenity provision.
The site is usually fully occupied, turn-over of pitches is low and there are currently 137 residents living on the site.
The rental income when it is fully occupied is in the region of £137,000 per year.
For this financial year, rental income is in the region of £8,400 per calendar month, which will result in a total income for the year of approximately £100,800.
Current management arrangements at the site were established in 1996 following a protracted period where the area was subject to a number of anti-social problems.
Tom Simpson, Secretary of the Goldenhill and Sandyford Residents' Association, said: "If someone came in to manage the site, they would have to be sensitive and make sure it's run in the right way."
Meriden Gypsy protesters appeal against order to quit camp
From the BBC
A bid by campaigners opposed to an illegal Gypsy site in the West Midlands to keep their protest camp for another a year will be heard by Solihull Borough Council later.
Residents Against Inappropriate Development (Raid) were ordered to move their temporary shelter by 29 April.
The Gypsies have reached an agreement with the council to leave the site in Meriden by 31 March 2013.
Raid have said they will not to leave the site before the Gypsies do.
Their chairman David McGrath said: "You cannot have one law for Gypsies and another for the settled community."
The Gypsies put up eight caravan pitches in Eaves Lane in 2010.
In July 2010, the council refused to give the Gypsies retrospective planning permission, a decision upheld by Secretary of State Eric Pickles last October.
in March 2012 a High Court judge rejected their appeal against a decision which ruled their development could not remain on the Meriden site.
The Gypsies had claimed the council did not provide viable alternative accommodation.
Speaking before the agreement was reached, one of them, Senga Townsley, said her biggest fear was "the thought of not knowing where you're going to wake up tomorrow".
Solihull Borough Council's planning committee will consider the application from Raid in private at a planning meeting starting at 19:00 BST.
see also: Birmingham Mail Solihull Borough Council to decide on fate of RAID Gypsy protesters
A bid by campaigners opposed to an illegal Gypsy site in the West Midlands to keep their protest camp for another a year will be heard by Solihull Borough Council later.
Residents Against Inappropriate Development (Raid) were ordered to move their temporary shelter by 29 April.
The Gypsies have reached an agreement with the council to leave the site in Meriden by 31 March 2013.
Raid have said they will not to leave the site before the Gypsies do.
Their chairman David McGrath said: "You cannot have one law for Gypsies and another for the settled community."
The Gypsies put up eight caravan pitches in Eaves Lane in 2010.
In July 2010, the council refused to give the Gypsies retrospective planning permission, a decision upheld by Secretary of State Eric Pickles last October.
in March 2012 a High Court judge rejected their appeal against a decision which ruled their development could not remain on the Meriden site.
The Gypsies had claimed the council did not provide viable alternative accommodation.
Speaking before the agreement was reached, one of them, Senga Townsley, said her biggest fear was "the thought of not knowing where you're going to wake up tomorrow".
Solihull Borough Council's planning committee will consider the application from Raid in private at a planning meeting starting at 19:00 BST.
see also: Birmingham Mail Solihull Borough Council to decide on fate of RAID Gypsy protesters
Tuesday 24 April 2012
Gypsies helped in site search - Staffordshire
From the Sentinel
A COUNCIL has pledged to work with the travelling community to identify suitable pitches after controversial plans for a site were withdrawn.
Cheshire East Council is to enlist the help of the private sector and registered social landlords in a bid to meet the housing needs of gypsies
It comes after plans for a 12-pitch site at Parkers Road and Kent Lane, Crewe, were dropped after a change to national guidelines.
Councillor Michael Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for resources and leader-elect, said: "The guidance has given us the opportunity to explore new working relationships in the delivery of sites.
"We need to provide more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the same way we need to increase the number of new homes that are built.
"Therefore, it makes sense that we work with the same partners – namely the private sector and registered social landlords."
The new Government policy means councils no longer have a duty to provide a local site for travellers in their area.
A COUNCIL has pledged to work with the travelling community to identify suitable pitches after controversial plans for a site were withdrawn.
Cheshire East Council is to enlist the help of the private sector and registered social landlords in a bid to meet the housing needs of gypsies
It comes after plans for a 12-pitch site at Parkers Road and Kent Lane, Crewe, were dropped after a change to national guidelines.
Councillor Michael Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for resources and leader-elect, said: "The guidance has given us the opportunity to explore new working relationships in the delivery of sites.
"We need to provide more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the same way we need to increase the number of new homes that are built.
"Therefore, it makes sense that we work with the same partners – namely the private sector and registered social landlords."
The new Government policy means councils no longer have a duty to provide a local site for travellers in their area.
Out in force to oppose plans for Moor Lane Gypsy site - Wilmslow
From Wilmslow.co.uk
Well over a hundred residents attended a meeting of the Wilmslow Town Council Planning Committee last night to voice their strong concerns regarding plans to build a Gypsy caravan site in Wilmslow.
Green Planning Solutions have submitted an application, on behalf of Mr John Allan, to build a Gypsy on Green Belt land to the north west of Moor Lane.
The submitted plans for the 0.46 hectare site, which show one proposed mobile home, one proposed touring caravan and a proposed utility/day room, were criticised for being unclear and many residents fear the intention is for many more caravans to occupy this site.
Denise Scragg, who attended last night's meeting said "The details of the planning application are very ambiguous and open to many interpretations. I think that more clarification and hard facts need to be supplied in order that those affected/ concerned about the application can make well informed comments."
Some residents stated that the narrow lane, which is already congested, is unsuitable for additional traffic and a couple raised concerns about the consultants who submitted the application. According to an article published in The Telegraph in 2009, Green Planning Solutions, headed up by a former Liberal Democratic planning spokesman, advises Gypsies on how to contest efforts to evict them off illegal sites.
Wilmslow Town Council will be recommending the application for refusal on the grounds that "This represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt and that no special circumstances have been demonstrated.
"We also express severe concerns as to the potential traffic increase and access problems on an already inappropriate road.
"The Town Council would also ask that Cheshire East Council undertake a full range of environmental surveys including those impacting on local wildlife.
"The ambiguity of the application is also a matter of serious concern to Wilmslow Town Council."
Speaking at a separate meeting, about the Draft Wilmslow Vision, last night, Cllr Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said "My view is no development in Green Belt, including the potential Gypsy site."
The planning application, reference 12/1144M, can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website. At the time of writing nearly 50 objections to this planning application had been submitted to Cheshire East Council.
Well over a hundred residents attended a meeting of the Wilmslow Town Council Planning Committee last night to voice their strong concerns regarding plans to build a Gypsy caravan site in Wilmslow.
Green Planning Solutions have submitted an application, on behalf of Mr John Allan, to build a Gypsy on Green Belt land to the north west of Moor Lane.
The submitted plans for the 0.46 hectare site, which show one proposed mobile home, one proposed touring caravan and a proposed utility/day room, were criticised for being unclear and many residents fear the intention is for many more caravans to occupy this site.
Denise Scragg, who attended last night's meeting said "The details of the planning application are very ambiguous and open to many interpretations. I think that more clarification and hard facts need to be supplied in order that those affected/ concerned about the application can make well informed comments."
Some residents stated that the narrow lane, which is already congested, is unsuitable for additional traffic and a couple raised concerns about the consultants who submitted the application. According to an article published in The Telegraph in 2009, Green Planning Solutions, headed up by a former Liberal Democratic planning spokesman, advises Gypsies on how to contest efforts to evict them off illegal sites.
Wilmslow Town Council will be recommending the application for refusal on the grounds that "This represents inappropriate development within the Green Belt and that no special circumstances have been demonstrated.
"We also express severe concerns as to the potential traffic increase and access problems on an already inappropriate road.
"The Town Council would also ask that Cheshire East Council undertake a full range of environmental surveys including those impacting on local wildlife.
"The ambiguity of the application is also a matter of serious concern to Wilmslow Town Council."
Speaking at a separate meeting, about the Draft Wilmslow Vision, last night, Cllr Rod Menlove, Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said "My view is no development in Green Belt, including the potential Gypsy site."
The planning application, reference 12/1144M, can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website. At the time of writing nearly 50 objections to this planning application had been submitted to Cheshire East Council.
The struggle to get an education: Travellers in the UK
From the Travellers' Solidarity Network
The British education system has systematically excluded and discriminated against Travellers for years. Permanent exclusions are regularly highest amongst Gypsy/Roma and Travellers [1]. However just as often, kids from these communities are prevented from ever attending schools in the first place.
I have for some years attended school tribunals appealing decisions to exclude or not accept Traveller children. One case in particular sticks in my mind. Three Traveller children, two boys and a girl, had submitted an application to a local school. The school, as so often is the case, said they had no room for the children. On the day of the tribunal to appeal this decision I attended with all the necessary paper work, which the school required for any application. Yet they claimed not to have received these and argued that they couldn’t consider the children for the school because their applications weren’t ‘correct’. I showed to the tribunal documentation that I had not only presented to the school at the time of the application but also done so by hand. Indeed I asked why was this the first time this had been mentioned and had not given as part of the reason for the initial rejected applications. I assured the tribunal that the school had indeed received the paper work. The school representative ignored me and put it to the tribunal that the school did not have the required paperwork.
Thankfully the tribunal chairperson, who I had spoken to weeks beforehand with my concerns about ‘misunderstandings’ I had witnessed before in regards to Traveller applications to school’s, then and there produced the paperwork that he had received from the school themselves. This not only proved that the school had indeed been in receipt of the disputed documents, but hastened the decision to allow the children to attend the school. Management within the school had clearly lied. But the matter did not end there!
With the application allowed, the children were expected to attend school at the start of the summer term. When no contact was made by the school I again rang to find out what was happening. I was advised by the admissions office that the children hadn’t attended an open day for all new pupils and it was considered by the school that the kids had changed their minds about attending the school.
When asked how this open day invitation was made known to the Travellers it was said to have been sent out by letter. The school was then asked to provide a copy of the letter but couldn’t do so and never did. I tried to speak to the headmistress but was told she couldn’t take the call as she was busy and indeed from then on I was unable to speak to her directly. Asking when the children were to start school the admissions office said they couldn’t as they hadn’t been added to the rolls!
Getting nowhere with the school I got in touch with the education department of the county council. Within an hour they rang back saying the children had been cleared to attend the school. Yet the school kept saying otherwise and reiterated that it was ‘nothing to do with them’ as the children had made the choice not to enroll. It took a stern word from the council about the legality [or lack of] of what they were doing for the school to change its tune.
In fact it turned out that the headmistress, a nun, was responsible for the deliberate misinformation and stalling. This came out at a governors complaint meeting I requested, to get to the bottom of the matter and to make the school aware that any discrimination against Traveller children’s applications would be challenged through every process available.
Thankfully the children were left alone at school after this and the two boys eventually became prefects, while the girl turning down an offer of head girl [she being a little more bolshie than the boys] became part of the school council representing pupils to the school/governors. They were never aware of how the head had fought to exclude them from the school. All three now are either studying, or about to study at university. The progress they have made is astounding and would never have come about if the headmistress had had her way. I know this to be the case because the children in question are my own.
This is only one story about the barriers put in place by secondary schools to exclude Travellers. I welcome others to share theirs in the comments below. I myself had only one year in high school, leaving at the age of 12. After that I had no schooling at all because of circumstances beyond my control and always regretted that. At Dale Farm before the eviction many of the children were the first generations in their families to enjoy uninterrupted schooling. This is why I fought so hard to get my children and still fight for others. From my experience challenging racism through all means available can work, even if it takes a lot of time and effort, and more of us should do it.
——-
[1] For Gypsies and Roma the figure is 0.56% of the school population. For Travellers the figure is 0.53% (Department for Education, 2010)
The British education system has systematically excluded and discriminated against Travellers for years. Permanent exclusions are regularly highest amongst Gypsy/Roma and Travellers [1]. However just as often, kids from these communities are prevented from ever attending schools in the first place.
I have for some years attended school tribunals appealing decisions to exclude or not accept Traveller children. One case in particular sticks in my mind. Three Traveller children, two boys and a girl, had submitted an application to a local school. The school, as so often is the case, said they had no room for the children. On the day of the tribunal to appeal this decision I attended with all the necessary paper work, which the school required for any application. Yet they claimed not to have received these and argued that they couldn’t consider the children for the school because their applications weren’t ‘correct’. I showed to the tribunal documentation that I had not only presented to the school at the time of the application but also done so by hand. Indeed I asked why was this the first time this had been mentioned and had not given as part of the reason for the initial rejected applications. I assured the tribunal that the school had indeed received the paper work. The school representative ignored me and put it to the tribunal that the school did not have the required paperwork.
Thankfully the tribunal chairperson, who I had spoken to weeks beforehand with my concerns about ‘misunderstandings’ I had witnessed before in regards to Traveller applications to school’s, then and there produced the paperwork that he had received from the school themselves. This not only proved that the school had indeed been in receipt of the disputed documents, but hastened the decision to allow the children to attend the school. Management within the school had clearly lied. But the matter did not end there!
With the application allowed, the children were expected to attend school at the start of the summer term. When no contact was made by the school I again rang to find out what was happening. I was advised by the admissions office that the children hadn’t attended an open day for all new pupils and it was considered by the school that the kids had changed their minds about attending the school.
When asked how this open day invitation was made known to the Travellers it was said to have been sent out by letter. The school was then asked to provide a copy of the letter but couldn’t do so and never did. I tried to speak to the headmistress but was told she couldn’t take the call as she was busy and indeed from then on I was unable to speak to her directly. Asking when the children were to start school the admissions office said they couldn’t as they hadn’t been added to the rolls!
Getting nowhere with the school I got in touch with the education department of the county council. Within an hour they rang back saying the children had been cleared to attend the school. Yet the school kept saying otherwise and reiterated that it was ‘nothing to do with them’ as the children had made the choice not to enroll. It took a stern word from the council about the legality [or lack of] of what they were doing for the school to change its tune.
In fact it turned out that the headmistress, a nun, was responsible for the deliberate misinformation and stalling. This came out at a governors complaint meeting I requested, to get to the bottom of the matter and to make the school aware that any discrimination against Traveller children’s applications would be challenged through every process available.
Thankfully the children were left alone at school after this and the two boys eventually became prefects, while the girl turning down an offer of head girl [she being a little more bolshie than the boys] became part of the school council representing pupils to the school/governors. They were never aware of how the head had fought to exclude them from the school. All three now are either studying, or about to study at university. The progress they have made is astounding and would never have come about if the headmistress had had her way. I know this to be the case because the children in question are my own.
This is only one story about the barriers put in place by secondary schools to exclude Travellers. I welcome others to share theirs in the comments below. I myself had only one year in high school, leaving at the age of 12. After that I had no schooling at all because of circumstances beyond my control and always regretted that. At Dale Farm before the eviction many of the children were the first generations in their families to enjoy uninterrupted schooling. This is why I fought so hard to get my children and still fight for others. From my experience challenging racism through all means available can work, even if it takes a lot of time and effort, and more of us should do it.
——-
[1] For Gypsies and Roma the figure is 0.56% of the school population. For Travellers the figure is 0.53% (Department for Education, 2010)
New work by trust seeks to address health inequalities among Gypsies - Yorkshire
From the Telegraph and Argus
Gipsy and Traveller communities in Bradford are set to benefit from health care services – thanks to ground-breaking work being undertaken by an NHS trust.
While conducting research for her university course, Olwyn Lidster, community psychiatric nurse in Bradford District Care Trust’s substance misuse services, said she was horrified when she uncovered the truth about the discrimination Gypsy and Traveller communities face from society.
She set out to give them a voice and raise the trust’s profile in their communities where health problems sometimes go unaddressed until it is too late.
She said: “The number of Gypsies and Travellers who slip through the net because of their backgrounds is shocking.
“Because they don’t feel able to admit to society who they are and where they come from because of the discrimination they face, they live invisible lives.”
Even those who do seek professional help are often too afraid to disclose their backgrounds, or don’t have the skills required, such as reading or writing, to register with a GP.
Helping the trust understand more about this culture is Violet and her mother, Violet Senior, two members of the Gypsy community. Working closely with them, Miss Lidster and Bradford District Care Trust have built up a trust so they can begin to look at ways of meeting their health needs.
“Gypsy and Traveller communities are very private,” said Miss Lidster. “As a health care organisation we can’t just turn up and offer health checks or raise awareness of the health issues they may be facing – this has to be done from the inside, by those they trust.”
This is where the work with Violet and her mother is making progress. As community development workers within their communities they are able to raise awareness of important health messages, signpost to help and encourage people to talk about subjects that are usually considered taboo, such as substance misuse.
Violet said: “We have a long history of research which shows gipsy and traveller communities have stark health inequalities so it would be amazing if the trust took a national lead – doing some forward thinking and trying to find cost-effective ways to change these inequalities.
“In this current economic climate it’s easy to ignore the hard-to-reach but Bradford District Care Trust is not willing to let this happen in Bradford. I feel reinvigorated to work towards change.”
To help increase awareness of Gypsies and Travellers among NHS staff, the care trust is rolling out cultural competency training in services, facilitated by Violet and is hosting a seminar for staff to find out more about how the organisation can address the health needs of these communities.
Nicola Lees, chief operating officer and director of operations and nursing at the care trust, said: “Giving people in other communities a voice and clearing the pathway to our services is critical. This is just the beginning for gipsies and travellers in Bradford.”
Gipsy and Traveller communities in Bradford are set to benefit from health care services – thanks to ground-breaking work being undertaken by an NHS trust.
While conducting research for her university course, Olwyn Lidster, community psychiatric nurse in Bradford District Care Trust’s substance misuse services, said she was horrified when she uncovered the truth about the discrimination Gypsy and Traveller communities face from society.
She set out to give them a voice and raise the trust’s profile in their communities where health problems sometimes go unaddressed until it is too late.
She said: “The number of Gypsies and Travellers who slip through the net because of their backgrounds is shocking.
“Because they don’t feel able to admit to society who they are and where they come from because of the discrimination they face, they live invisible lives.”
Even those who do seek professional help are often too afraid to disclose their backgrounds, or don’t have the skills required, such as reading or writing, to register with a GP.
Helping the trust understand more about this culture is Violet and her mother, Violet Senior, two members of the Gypsy community. Working closely with them, Miss Lidster and Bradford District Care Trust have built up a trust so they can begin to look at ways of meeting their health needs.
“Gypsy and Traveller communities are very private,” said Miss Lidster. “As a health care organisation we can’t just turn up and offer health checks or raise awareness of the health issues they may be facing – this has to be done from the inside, by those they trust.”
This is where the work with Violet and her mother is making progress. As community development workers within their communities they are able to raise awareness of important health messages, signpost to help and encourage people to talk about subjects that are usually considered taboo, such as substance misuse.
Violet said: “We have a long history of research which shows gipsy and traveller communities have stark health inequalities so it would be amazing if the trust took a national lead – doing some forward thinking and trying to find cost-effective ways to change these inequalities.
“In this current economic climate it’s easy to ignore the hard-to-reach but Bradford District Care Trust is not willing to let this happen in Bradford. I feel reinvigorated to work towards change.”
To help increase awareness of Gypsies and Travellers among NHS staff, the care trust is rolling out cultural competency training in services, facilitated by Violet and is hosting a seminar for staff to find out more about how the organisation can address the health needs of these communities.
Nicola Lees, chief operating officer and director of operations and nursing at the care trust, said: “Giving people in other communities a voice and clearing the pathway to our services is critical. This is just the beginning for gipsies and travellers in Bradford.”
Councillor leader urges fast decision on Gypsy sites in Darlington
From the Northern Echo
A COUNCIL leader said he wants to see a decision made on the future of Gypsy camp provision in Darlington as quickly as possible to “remove the blight that people that people perceive to have come on their houses”.
Councillor Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said the six potential Gyspy and traveller sites earmarked for Darlington are not appropriate, as consultation on initial plans comes to an end.
Coun Dixon made his comments after Darlington MP Jenny Chapman publicly aired her concerns about the potential sites, using her Twitter feed to say: “Having listened to residents I'm less convinced than ever by the consultation on Traveller sites.”
She later added: “I think it's the wrong plan. We should make sure the sites we have are properly managed first.”
A final decision on the future of Gypsy and Traveller provision in the town will be made in September, but Coun Dixon said he wanted to set minds at rest as soon as possible.
He said: “As a borough we seem to be very well provided, and rightly so, for travelling communities.
“My view is that the sites we’ve got are working extremely well and the new sites identified by officers are wholly unsatisfactory.
“Hopefully the council will take that view when they consider it at the meeting.
“We have to go through this process to produce a local plan so that people don’t build where ever they want but as soon as possible we need to remove the blight that people perceive has come on their houses.”
Speaking yesterday, Ms Chapman said: “I think that the sites identified are not appropriate. Darlington takes its responsibilities to the Gypsy and traveller communities seriously and it’s not right that we should be spending more time and money being forced to consult on additional sites.
“Our efforts could be better spent making sure that they are run in the best way possible.”
Coun Heather Scott, leader of the Conservative opposition, said: “This has caused a lot of upset and unnecessary concern for people. We have two very well run sites and I think we should look at making extra spaces at those sites.
“I’m pleased that Coun Dixon appears to be of the same mind.”
A council spokeswoman said the six sites had been put forward as a fact-finding exercise and that no proposals had been set in stone.
Initial consultation ends today at 5pm.
A COUNCIL leader said he wants to see a decision made on the future of Gypsy camp provision in Darlington as quickly as possible to “remove the blight that people that people perceive to have come on their houses”.
Councillor Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said the six potential Gyspy and traveller sites earmarked for Darlington are not appropriate, as consultation on initial plans comes to an end.
Coun Dixon made his comments after Darlington MP Jenny Chapman publicly aired her concerns about the potential sites, using her Twitter feed to say: “Having listened to residents I'm less convinced than ever by the consultation on Traveller sites.”
She later added: “I think it's the wrong plan. We should make sure the sites we have are properly managed first.”
A final decision on the future of Gypsy and Traveller provision in the town will be made in September, but Coun Dixon said he wanted to set minds at rest as soon as possible.
He said: “As a borough we seem to be very well provided, and rightly so, for travelling communities.
“My view is that the sites we’ve got are working extremely well and the new sites identified by officers are wholly unsatisfactory.
“Hopefully the council will take that view when they consider it at the meeting.
“We have to go through this process to produce a local plan so that people don’t build where ever they want but as soon as possible we need to remove the blight that people perceive has come on their houses.”
Speaking yesterday, Ms Chapman said: “I think that the sites identified are not appropriate. Darlington takes its responsibilities to the Gypsy and traveller communities seriously and it’s not right that we should be spending more time and money being forced to consult on additional sites.
“Our efforts could be better spent making sure that they are run in the best way possible.”
Coun Heather Scott, leader of the Conservative opposition, said: “This has caused a lot of upset and unnecessary concern for people. We have two very well run sites and I think we should look at making extra spaces at those sites.
“I’m pleased that Coun Dixon appears to be of the same mind.”
A council spokeswoman said the six sites had been put forward as a fact-finding exercise and that no proposals had been set in stone.
Initial consultation ends today at 5pm.
Monday 23 April 2012
Travellers move to Deeside leisure centre site - Flintshire
From the North Wales News
COUNCIL bosses are making a legal bid to evict Travellers camped on a leisure centre car park.
Half a dozen caravans have parked at the rear of Deeside Leisure Centre in Queensferry.
Flintshire County Council says it will go to court this week to remove the Travellers.
It is unclear exactly when the caravans moved on to land at the rear of the centre, which also has an ice-rink.
But staff and the public spotted them there on Saturday.
Last night the area’s Flintshire councillor said the authority was failing to provide enough pitches for Travellers.
Labour member Bernie Attridge, of Connah’s Quay Central ward, said the existing 70-member administration – a coalition of Independents, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats – should have allocated space for new arrivals on designated, council land.
He said he had already been calling for the 30 pitches at the official Queensferry Travellers’ site to be extended by “70 or 80” more, with proper facilities so any new Travellers could be moved straight on to them.
Now, he says, the council faces an “expensive and lengthy” legal process to seek an injunction and possibly to find bailiffs to move them on if they don’t move voluntarily.
He said Flintshire County Council cannot “bury its head in the sand” over the issue of travellers.
But Flintshire County Council deputy leader Cllr Tony Sharps hit back.
The Independent member said: “We will have to take proceedings against them (the Travellers) for their removal.”
He said that the official Queensferry site could not be extended because it is near the Aston Hill improvements.
He added the local authority has already been trying to find extra space.
He said: “We have been on the case for some time.
“Talks have been going on with the Welsh Assembly Government as regards new access in the Queensferry area.
“It’s just unfortunate that they have decided to trespass next to the finest leisure centre in the UK.”
COUNCIL bosses are making a legal bid to evict Travellers camped on a leisure centre car park.
Half a dozen caravans have parked at the rear of Deeside Leisure Centre in Queensferry.
Flintshire County Council says it will go to court this week to remove the Travellers.
It is unclear exactly when the caravans moved on to land at the rear of the centre, which also has an ice-rink.
But staff and the public spotted them there on Saturday.
Last night the area’s Flintshire councillor said the authority was failing to provide enough pitches for Travellers.
Labour member Bernie Attridge, of Connah’s Quay Central ward, said the existing 70-member administration – a coalition of Independents, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats – should have allocated space for new arrivals on designated, council land.
He said he had already been calling for the 30 pitches at the official Queensferry Travellers’ site to be extended by “70 or 80” more, with proper facilities so any new Travellers could be moved straight on to them.
Now, he says, the council faces an “expensive and lengthy” legal process to seek an injunction and possibly to find bailiffs to move them on if they don’t move voluntarily.
He said Flintshire County Council cannot “bury its head in the sand” over the issue of travellers.
But Flintshire County Council deputy leader Cllr Tony Sharps hit back.
The Independent member said: “We will have to take proceedings against them (the Travellers) for their removal.”
He said that the official Queensferry site could not be extended because it is near the Aston Hill improvements.
He added the local authority has already been trying to find extra space.
He said: “We have been on the case for some time.
“Talks have been going on with the Welsh Assembly Government as regards new access in the Queensferry area.
“It’s just unfortunate that they have decided to trespass next to the finest leisure centre in the UK.”
Anger over mess left at Aberdeen site after Travellers evicted
From the Evening Express
PILES of rubbish have been found at a site in Aberdeen which Travellers were evicted from.
The owners of the industrial unit at Minto Place, in Aberdeen’s Altens, were today faced with the cost of the clean-up operation.
A group of 10 caravans originally pitched up at the Minto Place site in Aberdeen two weeks ago, but it was understood they were evicted from the Aberdeen site after eviction proceedings were carried out.
PILES of rubbish have been found at a site in Aberdeen which Travellers were evicted from.
The owners of the industrial unit at Minto Place, in Aberdeen’s Altens, were today faced with the cost of the clean-up operation.
A group of 10 caravans originally pitched up at the Minto Place site in Aberdeen two weeks ago, but it was understood they were evicted from the Aberdeen site after eviction proceedings were carried out.
Bid to end camp set up by Travellers as land owner traced - Debyshire
From the Derby Telegraph
LEGAL action is being taken to evict a group of Travellers who have set up camp on land in Chellaston.
Four vehicles and three caravans arrived on the land on Holmleigh Way in Chellaston last week.
Chellaston ward councillor Matthew Holmes said Derby City Council was doing all it could to move on the Travellers.
He said he believed ownership of the land had been traced to a housing developer, which would go to court to apply for an eviction order.
"Following that, we need the landowner to take action to physically block access and I know that residents most definitely want to see that.
"We've asked a community safety officer to visit nearby residents hopefully early this week as well, to ensure they are being offered on-ongoing supported regarding any issues they are experiencing."
He said that local residents had made several complaints regarding a noisy generator that had been referred to the environmental health team and about anti-social behaviour, which were taken up by the police.
LEGAL action is being taken to evict a group of Travellers who have set up camp on land in Chellaston.
Four vehicles and three caravans arrived on the land on Holmleigh Way in Chellaston last week.
Chellaston ward councillor Matthew Holmes said Derby City Council was doing all it could to move on the Travellers.
He said he believed ownership of the land had been traced to a housing developer, which would go to court to apply for an eviction order.
"Following that, we need the landowner to take action to physically block access and I know that residents most definitely want to see that.
"We've asked a community safety officer to visit nearby residents hopefully early this week as well, to ensure they are being offered on-ongoing supported regarding any issues they are experiencing."
He said that local residents had made several complaints regarding a noisy generator that had been referred to the environmental health team and about anti-social behaviour, which were taken up by the police.
Noonan criticises council’s ‘unease’ over Traveller issue - Ireland
From the Kilkenny People
GREEN Party councillor Malcolm Noonan has criticised his Kilkenny County Council colleagues, over what he says is an ‘unease’ surrounding issues regarding the Travelling Community.
At Monday’s meeting of the county council, Cllr Noonan proposed a motion asking the council to call on the Irish government to recognise Travellers as a distinct ethnic group. However, the cathaoirleach of the county council Paul Cuddihy said that a vote could not be taken at the meeting, as there would be financial and legal obligations arising from the passing of the motion.
Cllr Noonan has dismissed this, saying that the council is keen to avoid any real discussion of the topic, as members are uneasy about it.
“This is the second time that this has been kicked to touch,” he said.
“I think there is disquiet and unease in the council. I think what is happening is that some individuals are uncomfortable about this.”
The only other councillor to declare his support for the motion was Fianna Fail’s Andrew McGuinness.
Successive Irish governments have not recognised Travellers as a distinct ethnic group, an issue the United Nations has asked the present Government to address. Cllr Noonan says he has sought clarification from an array of different Traveller groups, all of whom fully support the Irish government granting them this status.
“If we were to adopt this we would be the first local authority in Ireland to do so,” he said.
“We should circulate this to other councils, to call on the government to recognise the ethnic status of Travellers and recognise the great injustice that has been done to them. There is widespread racist and widespread discrimination against Travellers and it is a great shame to this country.”
the Green Party councillor said that a lot of Traveller support services are being pulled, and the public were not aware of it. He said that taboo topics such as planning irregularities and abuse within the church had been tackled, and it was time to address the issue of the Travelling Community.
“I fully believe that they are a community we should take pride in as part of Irish culture,” said Cllr Noonan.
“I would ask the members to support this. I think it would be forward thinking, in view of the grave injustice done to Travellers.”
GREEN Party councillor Malcolm Noonan has criticised his Kilkenny County Council colleagues, over what he says is an ‘unease’ surrounding issues regarding the Travelling Community.
At Monday’s meeting of the county council, Cllr Noonan proposed a motion asking the council to call on the Irish government to recognise Travellers as a distinct ethnic group. However, the cathaoirleach of the county council Paul Cuddihy said that a vote could not be taken at the meeting, as there would be financial and legal obligations arising from the passing of the motion.
Cllr Noonan has dismissed this, saying that the council is keen to avoid any real discussion of the topic, as members are uneasy about it.
“This is the second time that this has been kicked to touch,” he said.
“I think there is disquiet and unease in the council. I think what is happening is that some individuals are uncomfortable about this.”
The only other councillor to declare his support for the motion was Fianna Fail’s Andrew McGuinness.
Successive Irish governments have not recognised Travellers as a distinct ethnic group, an issue the United Nations has asked the present Government to address. Cllr Noonan says he has sought clarification from an array of different Traveller groups, all of whom fully support the Irish government granting them this status.
“If we were to adopt this we would be the first local authority in Ireland to do so,” he said.
“We should circulate this to other councils, to call on the government to recognise the ethnic status of Travellers and recognise the great injustice that has been done to them. There is widespread racist and widespread discrimination against Travellers and it is a great shame to this country.”
the Green Party councillor said that a lot of Traveller support services are being pulled, and the public were not aware of it. He said that taboo topics such as planning irregularities and abuse within the church had been tackled, and it was time to address the issue of the Travelling Community.
“I fully believe that they are a community we should take pride in as part of Irish culture,” said Cllr Noonan.
“I would ask the members to support this. I think it would be forward thinking, in view of the grave injustice done to Travellers.”
West Lancashire Council Planning Rejects plan for Travellers site in Banks
From the Formby Times
PLANS to keep land in Banks as a Gypsy Traveller site have been rejected by West Lancashire Council.
Mrs Mulvaney applied to retain land west of Mosslands, off Aveling Drive, for the stationing of caravans in August 2010.
But West Lancashire Council’s Planning Committee refused to give permission for the scheme.
Planning officers had recommended the scheme be refused in a report to members.
Officers said the development has an unacceptable effect on the landscape.
In support of her application Mrs Mulvaney had written to the council stating that the lack of allocation of specific sites for Travellers adds weight to the argument that Green Belt sites should be considered favourably.
At the meeting Cllr Mawdsley said: “We have looked at policies to deal with Traveller sites but no one seems to grasp the nettle.
“We must push this forward.”
Cllr Edward Pope, planning committee chairman, said: “We will have to make provision for traveller sites in the Local Plan.
“We are getting new national guidance as to what we will have to put in.”
Alison Heine, planning agent for Mrs Mulvaney, said they were waiting for the letter giving details of the planning committee’s decision to arrive before they planned their next move.
She added that they are likely to appeal.
PLANS to keep land in Banks as a Gypsy Traveller site have been rejected by West Lancashire Council.
Mrs Mulvaney applied to retain land west of Mosslands, off Aveling Drive, for the stationing of caravans in August 2010.
But West Lancashire Council’s Planning Committee refused to give permission for the scheme.
Planning officers had recommended the scheme be refused in a report to members.
Officers said the development has an unacceptable effect on the landscape.
In support of her application Mrs Mulvaney had written to the council stating that the lack of allocation of specific sites for Travellers adds weight to the argument that Green Belt sites should be considered favourably.
At the meeting Cllr Mawdsley said: “We have looked at policies to deal with Traveller sites but no one seems to grasp the nettle.
“We must push this forward.”
Cllr Edward Pope, planning committee chairman, said: “We will have to make provision for traveller sites in the Local Plan.
“We are getting new national guidance as to what we will have to put in.”
Alison Heine, planning agent for Mrs Mulvaney, said they were waiting for the letter giving details of the planning committee’s decision to arrive before they planned their next move.
She added that they are likely to appeal.
Brighton football club chairman stumps up £5k to keep out Travellers
From the Argus
A youth football club chairman paid nearly £5,000 of his own money to stop groups of Travellers from camping on its pitches.
Nick Poyner, of Patcham United, suffered an injury to his hand when he tried to stop a group breaking into Horsdean playing fields, Brighton.
The unauthorised encampment is said to have prevented about 180 youngsters from training.
Keen to prevent a repeat incident, Mr Poyner paid £4,762 to dig trenches and add extra earth to the mounds already built by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Mr Poyner said: “I did most of the work with my own hands as it’s the only way I can guarantee football not being interrupted again.
“I would welcome anyone who has not seen it to come and inspect it.”
Mr Poyner added thanks to Steve Wright at Kingspan who helped with the work.
He added anyone who wants to donate money can do so at the Ladies Mile pub in Mackie Avenue, Brighton.
A council spokeswoman said: “We are actively working to protect vulnerable sites.
“We’re reviewing the security of sites and putting improvements in place wherever possible.
“We will continue to keep this under review.
“We appreciate the football club’s concerns and the chairman’s work to help secure the football pitches.
“We were dismayed with the violent way used to gain access and are exploring ways of preventing these kinds of problems working with the police.”
Four unauthorised encampments were in the city yesterday.
These were Chalk Hill car park, next to Coldean Lane, Brighton; Waterhall playing fields; Wilson Avenue, east Brighton; and Wild Park.
The local authority said it had visited all the sites with police and were seeking possession of the land.
Until this was granted it would continue to monitor the encampments with officers.
Councillors were told yesterday that 11 of the 23 pitches at the transit site in Horsdean were in use.
However the others were unavailable as the local authority carried out “major refurbishment works” on the shower block, lighting and security at the site which should be complete by the end of the week.
The local authority is also currently drawing up firm plans for a permanent travellers’ site next to the transit site in Horsdean.
A youth football club chairman paid nearly £5,000 of his own money to stop groups of Travellers from camping on its pitches.
Nick Poyner, of Patcham United, suffered an injury to his hand when he tried to stop a group breaking into Horsdean playing fields, Brighton.
The unauthorised encampment is said to have prevented about 180 youngsters from training.
Keen to prevent a repeat incident, Mr Poyner paid £4,762 to dig trenches and add extra earth to the mounds already built by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Mr Poyner said: “I did most of the work with my own hands as it’s the only way I can guarantee football not being interrupted again.
“I would welcome anyone who has not seen it to come and inspect it.”
Mr Poyner added thanks to Steve Wright at Kingspan who helped with the work.
He added anyone who wants to donate money can do so at the Ladies Mile pub in Mackie Avenue, Brighton.
A council spokeswoman said: “We are actively working to protect vulnerable sites.
“We’re reviewing the security of sites and putting improvements in place wherever possible.
“We will continue to keep this under review.
“We appreciate the football club’s concerns and the chairman’s work to help secure the football pitches.
“We were dismayed with the violent way used to gain access and are exploring ways of preventing these kinds of problems working with the police.”
Four unauthorised encampments were in the city yesterday.
These were Chalk Hill car park, next to Coldean Lane, Brighton; Waterhall playing fields; Wilson Avenue, east Brighton; and Wild Park.
The local authority said it had visited all the sites with police and were seeking possession of the land.
Until this was granted it would continue to monitor the encampments with officers.
Councillors were told yesterday that 11 of the 23 pitches at the transit site in Horsdean were in use.
However the others were unavailable as the local authority carried out “major refurbishment works” on the shower block, lighting and security at the site which should be complete by the end of the week.
The local authority is also currently drawing up firm plans for a permanent travellers’ site next to the transit site in Horsdean.
Two people arrested at Jenningtree Way Travellers site, Belvedere
From the News Shopper
TWO people have been arrested at a Travellers site on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
Officers executed a search warrant last Thursday (April 19) at the Jenningtree Way travellers site in Belvedere, to search for stolen property.
It was a joint operation involving Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, officers, BT engineers and Met Police Traffic officers.
A 30-year-old woman and 58-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
They have been released on bail pending further inquiries. Two vehicles were also seized.
TWO people have been arrested at a Travellers site on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
Officers executed a search warrant last Thursday (April 19) at the Jenningtree Way travellers site in Belvedere, to search for stolen property.
It was a joint operation involving Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, officers, BT engineers and Met Police Traffic officers.
A 30-year-old woman and 58-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.
They have been released on bail pending further inquiries. Two vehicles were also seized.
Court order forces Travellers off Burnley recreation group
From the Burnley Times
A LARGE group of Travellers have left a recreation ground after Burnley Borough Council obtained a court order to move them on.
The Burnley Express reported on Friday that around 30 caravans and vehicles had set up camp on the Hargher Clough recreation ground, outside Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre in Venice Street.
The Travellers left the site on Sunday leaving behind several black bin bags of rubbish.
Angry residents accused Burnley Council of leaving the site open following a funfair but council bosses insisted a padlocked gate had been illegally cut open.
Andrew Leah, Property Services manager for Burnley Council, said: “The site in question is Burnley Council owned, and therefore we obtained a possession order from court to allow us to take legal action to remove the Travellers. The gate in question was securely locked by our parks team after the fair, and it would appear that this has been cut off at some point after this.”
The council has also acted to ensure the Travellers do not set up camp illegally elsewhere in the town. Mr Mick Cartledge, director of community services, said: “Past experience tells us that unfortunately Travellers tend to move off a site over a weekend and simply set up on another piece of land elsewhere in the borough.
“We are, therefore, taking action to try and prevent this from happening. We’ve taken a number of short-term measures to secure a number of council owned sites. This means that both the Riverside and nine-hole car parks at Towneley won’t be available to the public for a short time. We realise this will cause some inconvenience but we feel it’s important to try and keep these sites secure to avoid longer-term disruption if travellers were allowed to set up home on them.
“The sad fact is that it’s very difficult to make sites absolutely secure, particularly when people are willing to use angle grinders and other equipment to force entry, but the council is doing all it can to secure its sites to prevent travellers getting onto them.
“We took this approach at Hargher Clough where we did all we could to keep the recreation ground secure. I can assure residents that fencing was replaced after the recent fairground, but subsequent to this, a section of railing was stolen and the council then put a large boulder in the gap until the railings were replaced, at which point the boulder was removed. The site was secure but unfortunately a padlock on the gates to the car park was cut off.”A LARGE group of Travellers have left a recreation ground after Burnley Borough Council obtained a court order to move them on.
The Burnley Express reported on Friday that around 30 caravans and vehicles had set up camp on the Hargher Clough recreation ground, outside Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre in Venice Street.
The Travellers left the site on Sunday leaving behind several black bin bags of rubbish.
Angry residents accused Burnley Council of leaving the site open following a funfair but council bosses insisted a padlocked gate had been illegally cut open.
Andrew Leah, Property Services manager for Burnley Council, said: “The site in question is Burnley Council owned, and therefore we obtained a possession order from court to allow us to take legal action to remove the Travellers. The gate in question was securely locked by our parks team after the fair, and it would appear that this has been cut off at some point after this.”
The council has also acted to ensure the Travellers do not set up camp illegally elsewhere in the town. Mr Mick Cartledge, director of community services, said: “Past experience tells us that unfortunately travellers tend to move off a site over a weekend and simply set up on another piece of land elsewhere in the borough.
“We are, therefore, taking action to try and prevent this from happening. We’ve taken a number of short-term measures to secure a number of council owned sites. This means that both the Riverside and nine-hole car parks at Towneley won’t be available to the public for a short time. We realise this will cause some inconvenience but we feel it’s important to try and keep these sites secure to avoid longer-term disruption if Travellers were allowed to set up home on them.
“The sad fact is that it’s very difficult to make sites absolutely secure, particularly when people are willing to use angle grinders and other equipment to force entry, but the council is doing all it can to secure its sites to prevent travellers getting onto them.
“We took this approach at Hargher Clough where we did all we could to keep the recreation ground secure. I can assure residents that fencing was replaced after the recent fairground, but subsequent to this, a section of railing was stolen and the council then put a large boulder in the gap until the railings were replaced, at which point the boulder was removed. The site was secure but unfortunately a padlock on the gates to the car park was cut off.”
A LARGE group of Travellers have left a recreation ground after Burnley Borough Council obtained a court order to move them on.
The Burnley Express reported on Friday that around 30 caravans and vehicles had set up camp on the Hargher Clough recreation ground, outside Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre in Venice Street.
The Travellers left the site on Sunday leaving behind several black bin bags of rubbish.
Angry residents accused Burnley Council of leaving the site open following a funfair but council bosses insisted a padlocked gate had been illegally cut open.
Andrew Leah, Property Services manager for Burnley Council, said: “The site in question is Burnley Council owned, and therefore we obtained a possession order from court to allow us to take legal action to remove the Travellers. The gate in question was securely locked by our parks team after the fair, and it would appear that this has been cut off at some point after this.”
The council has also acted to ensure the Travellers do not set up camp illegally elsewhere in the town. Mr Mick Cartledge, director of community services, said: “Past experience tells us that unfortunately Travellers tend to move off a site over a weekend and simply set up on another piece of land elsewhere in the borough.
“We are, therefore, taking action to try and prevent this from happening. We’ve taken a number of short-term measures to secure a number of council owned sites. This means that both the Riverside and nine-hole car parks at Towneley won’t be available to the public for a short time. We realise this will cause some inconvenience but we feel it’s important to try and keep these sites secure to avoid longer-term disruption if travellers were allowed to set up home on them.
“The sad fact is that it’s very difficult to make sites absolutely secure, particularly when people are willing to use angle grinders and other equipment to force entry, but the council is doing all it can to secure its sites to prevent travellers getting onto them.
“We took this approach at Hargher Clough where we did all we could to keep the recreation ground secure. I can assure residents that fencing was replaced after the recent fairground, but subsequent to this, a section of railing was stolen and the council then put a large boulder in the gap until the railings were replaced, at which point the boulder was removed. The site was secure but unfortunately a padlock on the gates to the car park was cut off.”A LARGE group of Travellers have left a recreation ground after Burnley Borough Council obtained a court order to move them on.
The Burnley Express reported on Friday that around 30 caravans and vehicles had set up camp on the Hargher Clough recreation ground, outside Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre in Venice Street.
The Travellers left the site on Sunday leaving behind several black bin bags of rubbish.
Angry residents accused Burnley Council of leaving the site open following a funfair but council bosses insisted a padlocked gate had been illegally cut open.
Andrew Leah, Property Services manager for Burnley Council, said: “The site in question is Burnley Council owned, and therefore we obtained a possession order from court to allow us to take legal action to remove the Travellers. The gate in question was securely locked by our parks team after the fair, and it would appear that this has been cut off at some point after this.”
The council has also acted to ensure the Travellers do not set up camp illegally elsewhere in the town. Mr Mick Cartledge, director of community services, said: “Past experience tells us that unfortunately travellers tend to move off a site over a weekend and simply set up on another piece of land elsewhere in the borough.
“We are, therefore, taking action to try and prevent this from happening. We’ve taken a number of short-term measures to secure a number of council owned sites. This means that both the Riverside and nine-hole car parks at Towneley won’t be available to the public for a short time. We realise this will cause some inconvenience but we feel it’s important to try and keep these sites secure to avoid longer-term disruption if Travellers were allowed to set up home on them.
“The sad fact is that it’s very difficult to make sites absolutely secure, particularly when people are willing to use angle grinders and other equipment to force entry, but the council is doing all it can to secure its sites to prevent travellers getting onto them.
“We took this approach at Hargher Clough where we did all we could to keep the recreation ground secure. I can assure residents that fencing was replaced after the recent fairground, but subsequent to this, a section of railing was stolen and the council then put a large boulder in the gap until the railings were replaced, at which point the boulder was removed. The site was secure but unfortunately a padlock on the gates to the car park was cut off.”
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