From the Carmarthen Journal
A GROUP of Travellers have pitched up on a Carmarthen car park.
One local resident said around eight caravans arrived at the site, off Old Station Road, at around 8pm on Tuesday.
She said the one of the Travellers told them they would be there for a couple of days.
read more...
Wednesday 30 April 2014
Poole council to use cash allocated for transit sites to protect six open spaces against Traveller camps - Dorset
From the Daily Echo
POOLE is preparing to defend six of its most vulnerable open spaces against Traveller camps.
The council voted to share £231,000 among six public open spaces to fund a variety of security measures ranging from mounds and hedges to posts, rocks and height restrictions.
>read more...
POOLE is preparing to defend six of its most vulnerable open spaces against Traveller camps.
The council voted to share £231,000 among six public open spaces to fund a variety of security measures ranging from mounds and hedges to posts, rocks and height restrictions.
>read more...
Notice served on Traveller group in Shropshire
From Shropshire Star
Legal action is being taken against a group of Travellers who have set up an illegal camp outside Shifnal.
The Travellers arrived on the patch of land close to the motorway bridge on the B4379 early last week.
read more...
Legal action is being taken against a group of Travellers who have set up an illegal camp outside Shifnal.
The Travellers arrived on the patch of land close to the motorway bridge on the B4379 early last week.
read more...
West Berkshire Gypsy site call-out to landowners
From the BBC
Landowners in West Berkshire have been asked to consider their land as sites for Gypsies and Travellers.
The local authority currently has one site for 18 pitches in Padworth Common, but is looking for other areas as part of an assessment into housing needs.
read more...
Landowners in West Berkshire have been asked to consider their land as sites for Gypsies and Travellers.
The local authority currently has one site for 18 pitches in Padworth Common, but is looking for other areas as part of an assessment into housing needs.
read more...
MP says he will "strongly oppose" new Gypsy and Traveller sites in Epsom and Ewell - Surrey
From Your Local Guardian
Epsom does not need any more Gypsy and Traveller sites, according to its MP, who said he will strongly oppose any plans to develop any new permanent camps in the borough.
Chris Grayling made the strongly-worded admission in an email to constituents yesterday, April 28.
read more...
Epsom does not need any more Gypsy and Traveller sites, according to its MP, who said he will strongly oppose any plans to develop any new permanent camps in the borough.
Chris Grayling made the strongly-worded admission in an email to constituents yesterday, April 28.
read more...
What a difference a year makes: Scars heal in Meriden after Gypsy camp battle - West Midlands
From the Birmingham Mail
It was the three-year stand-off that shattered the peace of the Midland countryside. Twelve months after the saga ended, ESH CAPELO looks back on the battle between Travellers and villagers at Meriden.
What a difference a year makes.
An air of tranquillity once again hangs over the Midland village which was at the centre of a bitter land dispute until 12 months ago.
read more...
It was the three-year stand-off that shattered the peace of the Midland countryside. Twelve months after the saga ended, ESH CAPELO looks back on the battle between Travellers and villagers at Meriden.
What a difference a year makes.
An air of tranquillity once again hangs over the Midland village which was at the centre of a bitter land dispute until 12 months ago.
read more...
Manager exasperated at lack of action over Gypsies - Worcestershire
From the Bromsgrove Advertiser
THE manager of a Bromsgrove company is exasperated that a group of Travellers is not being moved along from Buntsford Drive.
Reports were first received about the Travellers on April 15 and Dagmar Rathbone, who manages a company next to where they have settled, is angry at the lack of action that is being taken by Bromsgrove District Council or the police.
read more...
THE manager of a Bromsgrove company is exasperated that a group of Travellers is not being moved along from Buntsford Drive.
Reports were first received about the Travellers on April 15 and Dagmar Rathbone, who manages a company next to where they have settled, is angry at the lack of action that is being taken by Bromsgrove District Council or the police.
read more...
Chester Park and Ride Gypsy camp - Cheshire
From the Leader
TRAVELLERS who are camped at a Chester Park and Ride site have been given until this morning to leave.
A total of 19 caravans have set up camp at the site on Wrexham Road Park and Ride which has reduced the number of car parking spaces available to commuters into Chester and partially blocked one of the roads on the site.
read more...
TRAVELLERS who are camped at a Chester Park and Ride site have been given until this morning to leave.
A total of 19 caravans have set up camp at the site on Wrexham Road Park and Ride which has reduced the number of car parking spaces available to commuters into Chester and partially blocked one of the roads on the site.
read more...
Travellers leave DW Fitness's Lincoln car park - Lincolnshire
From the Lincolnshire Echo
A group of travellers who set up camp at DW Fitness's car park in Lincoln have moved on.
Four caravans arrived on Monday afternoon at the gym's car park, off Tritton Road.
They left sometime overnight on Tuesday.
read more...
A group of travellers who set up camp at DW Fitness's car park in Lincoln have moved on.
Four caravans arrived on Monday afternoon at the gym's car park, off Tritton Road.
They left sometime overnight on Tuesday.
read more...
Travellers parked next to Angus Council’s headquarters ‘monitored’
From the Courier
Angus Council is continuing to “monitor” a Traveller encampment right on the doorstep of its headquarters.
Residents near the A94 Glamis roundabout have spent months complaining about caravans which have come and gone with regularity.
read more...
Angus Council is continuing to “monitor” a Traveller encampment right on the doorstep of its headquarters.
Residents near the A94 Glamis roundabout have spent months complaining about caravans which have come and gone with regularity.
read more...
Travellers move onto private land in Cressex - Buckinghamshire
From the Bucks Free Press
TRAVELLERS have moved onto private land in the Cressex area of High Wycombe but have told police they will be leaving again soon.
It is not yet known how many Travellers have moved onto the Johnson and Johnson site on Holmers Farm Way, near John Lewis.
read more...
TRAVELLERS have moved onto private land in the Cressex area of High Wycombe but have told police they will be leaving again soon.
It is not yet known how many Travellers have moved onto the Johnson and Johnson site on Holmers Farm Way, near John Lewis.
read more...
Tuesday 29 April 2014
Shoreham Traveller site consultation 'damaging village's economy and well-being' - Sussex
From the Sevenoaks Chronicle
SHOREHAM villagers have accused planners of leaving them in limbo by ploughing ahead with a consultation to put a Traveller encampment in one of their fields.
The furious residents say the uncertainty has caused three house sales to collapse in the space of just two weeks since Sevenoaks District Council refused to rule out part of Timberden Farm as a possible plot for 15 caravan pitches.
read more...
SHOREHAM villagers have accused planners of leaving them in limbo by ploughing ahead with a consultation to put a Traveller encampment in one of their fields.
The furious residents say the uncertainty has caused three house sales to collapse in the space of just two weeks since Sevenoaks District Council refused to rule out part of Timberden Farm as a possible plot for 15 caravan pitches.
read more...
Enda Kenny failing to act on FG Councillor’s anti-Traveller racism — Gerry Adams TD - Ireland
From Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD has said that the response of Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny to racist, anti-Traveller leaflets distributed by one of his party Councillors in Dublin is unacceptable.
He has called on Mr Kenny to ensure that Councillor Emer Higgins entirely disowns the offensive sentiments expressed in the leaflets and that Fine Gael clarifies its position on the issue.
read more...
Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD has said that the response of Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny to racist, anti-Traveller leaflets distributed by one of his party Councillors in Dublin is unacceptable.
He has called on Mr Kenny to ensure that Councillor Emer Higgins entirely disowns the offensive sentiments expressed in the leaflets and that Fine Gael clarifies its position on the issue.
read more...
Travellers at the Brentwood Centre car park move on after staying the night - Essex
From the Brentwood Gazette
Travellers camping at the Brentwood Centre car park earlier today have now left.
The Brentwood Borough Council were made aware of the unauthorised encampment and were liaising with Essex Police on the issue.
read more...
Travellers camping at the Brentwood Centre car park earlier today have now left.
The Brentwood Borough Council were made aware of the unauthorised encampment and were liaising with Essex Police on the issue.
read more...
Gypsy site off Dering Way and Shamrock Road, Gravesend to be cleared - Kent
From Kent Online
More than 20 tonnes of rubbish is being cleared in a major clean-up operation in Denton today.
Land near the travellers site off Dering Way and Shamrock Road is being cleared in an operation expected to last for three weeks.
Some derelict structures are to be pulled down and land owned by Gravesham council and Southern Water is being fenced off.
read more...
More than 20 tonnes of rubbish is being cleared in a major clean-up operation in Denton today.
Land near the travellers site off Dering Way and Shamrock Road is being cleared in an operation expected to last for three weeks.
Some derelict structures are to be pulled down and land owned by Gravesham council and Southern Water is being fenced off.
read more...
Revulsion at human waste left at 'Travellers' camp' in Greenock - Inverclyde
From the Greenock Telegraph
HUMAN waste and an old bath tub are just part of the disgusting mess left behind by Travellers at an illegal camp in Greenock.
Bags of human and food waste have been left behind by Travellers.
More than half a dozen caravans plus several cars and work vans parked near the entrance to Valleypark Business Park off Inverkip Road last week before moving on at the weekend.
read more...
HUMAN waste and an old bath tub are just part of the disgusting mess left behind by Travellers at an illegal camp in Greenock.
Bags of human and food waste have been left behind by Travellers.
More than half a dozen caravans plus several cars and work vans parked near the entrance to Valleypark Business Park off Inverkip Road last week before moving on at the weekend.
read more...
Travellers set up illegal west Hull camp for sixth time in three years - Yorkshire
From the Hull Daily Mail
TRAVELLERS have returned to a residential area in west Hull for the sixth time in three years.
About eight or nine caravans have pitched up on land close to Woolwich Drive, off the Boothferry Road estate.
Hull City Council has already taken steps to have them removed but fed-up residents want more to be done to speed up the removal.
read more...
TRAVELLERS have returned to a residential area in west Hull for the sixth time in three years.
About eight or nine caravans have pitched up on land close to Woolwich Drive, off the Boothferry Road estate.
Hull City Council has already taken steps to have them removed but fed-up residents want more to be done to speed up the removal.
read more...
More than 20 Travellers in Aberdeen charged - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
MORE than 20 Travellers from an unauthorised Aberdeen camp have been charged after concerns were raised about defecation at the site.
A total of 21 Travellers, who were parked near the Hilton Double Tree on Queen’s Links, have been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the allegations.
Police Scotland launched an investigation after Aberdeen City Council reported that people had been using the public site for their personal waste.
read more...
MORE than 20 Travellers from an unauthorised Aberdeen camp have been charged after concerns were raised about defecation at the site.
A total of 21 Travellers, who were parked near the Hilton Double Tree on Queen’s Links, have been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the allegations.
Police Scotland launched an investigation after Aberdeen City Council reported that people had been using the public site for their personal waste.
read more...
Young demands by-law in 'fight back' against illegal Traveller camps - Aberdeenshire
From STV
It is an issue which reverberates throughout Aberdeen: how to deal with members of the Travelling community who camp on public and private sites across the city.
Already, in 2014, there have been incidents of Travellers setting up bases without permission on a golf course, a number of football pitches, Aberdeen Beach and elsewhere in the city.
Willie Young, the ruling council's finance convener, wants the introduction of a new by-law, which could see Travellers facing fines of up to £500.
read more
It is an issue which reverberates throughout Aberdeen: how to deal with members of the Travelling community who camp on public and private sites across the city.
Already, in 2014, there have been incidents of Travellers setting up bases without permission on a golf course, a number of football pitches, Aberdeen Beach and elsewhere in the city.
Willie Young, the ruling council's finance convener, wants the introduction of a new by-law, which could see Travellers facing fines of up to £500.
read more
Travellers set up home in council car park in Abbeymead - Gloucestershire
From the Gloucester Citizen
TRAVELLERS have set up home at Lobleys Drive in Abbeymead.
It is believed they arrived at the Gloucester City Council car park site between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
read more...
TRAVELLERS have set up home at Lobleys Drive in Abbeymead.
It is believed they arrived at the Gloucester City Council car park site between Sunday evening and Monday morning.
read more...
Travellers camped illegally on Alex car park - Cheshire
From the Crewe Chronicle
Travellers camped illegally on the Crewe Alex car park have told the Chronicle they will move before Saturday’s crucial end-of-season match.
Eight caravans were scattered across the Alex’s Gresty Road car park this morning.
The Travellers refused to say where they had come from – although yesterday there were some caravans parked up by the new entrance to Crewe Station.
read more...
Travellers camped illegally on the Crewe Alex car park have told the Chronicle they will move before Saturday’s crucial end-of-season match.
Eight caravans were scattered across the Alex’s Gresty Road car park this morning.
The Travellers refused to say where they had come from – although yesterday there were some caravans parked up by the new entrance to Crewe Station.
read more...
Calls for recognition of Travellers’ distinct identity - Ireland
From Irish republican News
A committee of the Dublin parliament has recommended that Travellers be recognised as an ethnic minority to combat discrimination as the issue begins featuring in local election campaigns in the 26 Counties.
The Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, in a report, said it is “no longer tenable for this State to deny Traveller ethnicity” and that it is “long past time for this State to honour our responsibilities to the international conventions on human rights”.
A scientific analysis of Irish DNA three years ago claimed that Travellers separated from the main population here between one and two milleniums ago for reasons that are unknown. The Gypsy-like community maintains its own ‘cant’ dialact and other customs and traditions which differ markedly from the settled Irish community.
read more...
A committee of the Dublin parliament has recommended that Travellers be recognised as an ethnic minority to combat discrimination as the issue begins featuring in local election campaigns in the 26 Counties.
The Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, in a report, said it is “no longer tenable for this State to deny Traveller ethnicity” and that it is “long past time for this State to honour our responsibilities to the international conventions on human rights”.
A scientific analysis of Irish DNA three years ago claimed that Travellers separated from the main population here between one and two milleniums ago for reasons that are unknown. The Gypsy-like community maintains its own ‘cant’ dialact and other customs and traditions which differ markedly from the settled Irish community.
read more...
In support of Travellers’ rights. - Ireland
From John Molyneux
On 17 April an Oireachtas committee recommended that Travellers be recognised as an ethnic minority.
The Joint Committee on Justice and Equality said “it is no longer tenable for this State to deny Traveller ethnicity” and that it is “long past time for this State to honour our responsibilities to the international conventions on human rights”.
Long past time is right. An ethnic minority within the Irish state is precisely what Travellers are and have always been. . They are a very small minority, only about 25,000 or approximately 0.5% of the population but DNA evidence shows that they have been a distinct ethnic group for about 1000 years. They have a distinct cultural identity and language (though it has fallen into disuse) and they are massively disadvantaged and discriminated against.
read more...
On 17 April an Oireachtas committee recommended that Travellers be recognised as an ethnic minority.
The Joint Committee on Justice and Equality said “it is no longer tenable for this State to deny Traveller ethnicity” and that it is “long past time for this State to honour our responsibilities to the international conventions on human rights”.
Long past time is right. An ethnic minority within the Irish state is precisely what Travellers are and have always been. . They are a very small minority, only about 25,000 or approximately 0.5% of the population but DNA evidence shows that they have been a distinct ethnic group for about 1000 years. They have a distinct cultural identity and language (though it has fallen into disuse) and they are massively disadvantaged and discriminated against.
read more...
Second Opinion: Ethnic status for Travellers – what’s stopping us? - Ireland
From the Irish Times
It is time to right the wrongs inflicted on Irish Travellers over the past 50 years. The Report on the Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity , from the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, published this month, makes a convincing case for the State finally to recognise Travellers as a distinct ethnic group.
The committee held public hearings involving Travellers, researchers, the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority, and concluded that “the evidence in favour of Traveller ethnicity is overwhelming”.
read more...
It is time to right the wrongs inflicted on Irish Travellers over the past 50 years. The Report on the Recognition of Traveller Ethnicity , from the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, published this month, makes a convincing case for the State finally to recognise Travellers as a distinct ethnic group.
The committee held public hearings involving Travellers, researchers, the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority, and concluded that “the evidence in favour of Traveller ethnicity is overwhelming”.
read more...
Monday 28 April 2014
Travellers at DW Fitness car park in Lincoln - Lincolnshire
From the Lincoln Echo
A group of Travellers are at DW Fitness's car park in Lincoln.
Four caravans arrived yesterday afternoon at the fitness centre's car park, off Tritton Road.
Lincolnshire Police say they are not involved at this stage.
A group of Travellers are at DW Fitness's car park in Lincoln.
Four caravans arrived yesterday afternoon at the fitness centre's car park, off Tritton Road.
Lincolnshire Police say they are not involved at this stage.
Travellers' site go ahead on danger bend sparks safety fears - Gloucestershire
From the Gazette
A ONE-pitch Travellers’ site near Thornbury has been given the go ahead prompting fears it will quickly grow much larger.
The application for a permanent pitch at Oldbury Lane in Lower Morton was approved by South Gloucestershire Council’s planning committee last Thursday (April 24) despite concerns among councillors that access to the site was unsafe.
read more...
A ONE-pitch Travellers’ site near Thornbury has been given the go ahead prompting fears it will quickly grow much larger.
The application for a permanent pitch at Oldbury Lane in Lower Morton was approved by South Gloucestershire Council’s planning committee last Thursday (April 24) despite concerns among councillors that access to the site was unsafe.
read more...
Travellers ordered to quit Forres field
from The Forres Gazette
HIGHLANDS and Islands Enterprise at Forres have expressed their frustration, at having to deal with Travellers, and clean-up after they leave.
A spokesman for the body said it was like a “game of cat and mouse” trying to deal with the situation, and with the Travellers who were “savvy” about how the system works.
A notice to leave by Tuesday lunchtime (April 22) was served by the Sheriff Officer on a small group of Travellers who arrived on a field behind the call centre at the Forres Enterprise Park ten days earlier. But 6they still haven't left.
read more...
HIGHLANDS and Islands Enterprise at Forres have expressed their frustration, at having to deal with Travellers, and clean-up after they leave.
A spokesman for the body said it was like a “game of cat and mouse” trying to deal with the situation, and with the Travellers who were “savvy” about how the system works.
A notice to leave by Tuesday lunchtime (April 22) was served by the Sheriff Officer on a small group of Travellers who arrived on a field behind the call centre at the Forres Enterprise Park ten days earlier. But 6they still haven't left.
read more...
Decision on Travellers’ site likely next week - Lincolnshire
From the Lincolnshire Free Press
MP John Hayes says Cowbit residents must have the “defining say” when councillors meet next week to decide controversial plans for a Gypsy and Traveller site.
South Holland District Council wants to move Travellers from an unauthorised camp in Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough, to a six acre site off Drain Bank North, between Spalding and Cowbit.
There will be pitches for up to 30 caravans if it gets the go-ahead from South Holland’s planning committee on Wednesday, May 7.
read more...
MP John Hayes says Cowbit residents must have the “defining say” when councillors meet next week to decide controversial plans for a Gypsy and Traveller site.
South Holland District Council wants to move Travellers from an unauthorised camp in Broad Drove, Gosberton Clough, to a six acre site off Drain Bank North, between Spalding and Cowbit.
There will be pitches for up to 30 caravans if it gets the go-ahead from South Holland’s planning committee on Wednesday, May 7.
read more...
Child's best interests a priority when eviction is considered, rules Judge
From the Travellers' Times
District Judge did not take proper account of newborn baby's interest during eviction proceedings in Surrey
Pregnancy was referred to as a "health problem"
Parents' appealed decision
“Where the best interests of the child clearly favour a certain course, that course should be followed unless countervailing reasons of considerable force displace them", says Her Honour Judge Raeside
Mr and Mrs E were squatting on a vacant pitch on a Surrey County Council site. The Council threatened eviction action. Mrs E was pregnant and, shortly before possession proceedings were commenced, she gave birth to a son. District Judge George made a possession order. Mr and Mrs E appealed against that decision on the basis that the best interests of the child had not been taken into account. Her Honour Judge Raeside allowed their appeal, and sent the matter back to District Judge George.
read more...
District Judge did not take proper account of newborn baby's interest during eviction proceedings in Surrey
Pregnancy was referred to as a "health problem"
Parents' appealed decision
“Where the best interests of the child clearly favour a certain course, that course should be followed unless countervailing reasons of considerable force displace them", says Her Honour Judge Raeside
Mr and Mrs E were squatting on a vacant pitch on a Surrey County Council site. The Council threatened eviction action. Mrs E was pregnant and, shortly before possession proceedings were commenced, she gave birth to a son. District Judge George made a possession order. Mr and Mrs E appealed against that decision on the basis that the best interests of the child had not been taken into account. Her Honour Judge Raeside allowed their appeal, and sent the matter back to District Judge George.
read more...
Planning committee to consider Westhampnett Transit Travellers’ site - Sussex
From the Chichester Observer
THE FINAL barrier to a transit Travellers’ site in Westhampnett looks set to be overcome on Wednesday (April 30).
However, it still faces opposition from campaigners, who say it could breach a United Nations convention.
The proposed £1.3m site at the Westhampnett depot, in Stane Street, has already been offered a grant of £630,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency for its construction.
read more...
THE FINAL barrier to a transit Travellers’ site in Westhampnett looks set to be overcome on Wednesday (April 30).
However, it still faces opposition from campaigners, who say it could breach a United Nations convention.
The proposed £1.3m site at the Westhampnett depot, in Stane Street, has already been offered a grant of £630,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency for its construction.
read more...
Travellers in Teignmouth car park move on - Devon
From the Herald Express
Travellers who set up camp at Eastcliff car park, Teignmouth, last week, moved on at the weekend.
Teignbridge Council issued and served them with a with a notice of possession proceedings and there would have been a court hearing tomorrow if they hadn't vacated the site.
read more...
Travellers who set up camp at Eastcliff car park, Teignmouth, last week, moved on at the weekend.
Teignbridge Council issued and served them with a with a notice of possession proceedings and there would have been a court hearing tomorrow if they hadn't vacated the site.
read more...
'Give us barriers to keep Travellers from Clifton Village Green' - Nottinghamshire
From the Nottingham Post
CALLS for barriers to safeguard a "treasured" village green have again been made after Travellers returned.
Four rubbish bags were left at Clifton Village Green, off Village Road, after six caravans parked up from Wednesday until Saturday.
read more...
CALLS for barriers to safeguard a "treasured" village green have again been made after Travellers returned.
Four rubbish bags were left at Clifton Village Green, off Village Road, after six caravans parked up from Wednesday until Saturday.
read more...
Sunday 27 April 2014
Travellers leave Kidsgrove playing fields where they set up camp with 20 caravans - Staffordshire
From the Sentinel
TRAVELLERS have now moved on from a school’s playing fields where they had set up camp.
About 20 caravans settled on the land off Gloucester Road in Kidsgrove on Wednesday night after accessing the site via a gate near the bottom of the street.
read more...
TRAVELLERS have now moved on from a school’s playing fields where they had set up camp.
About 20 caravans settled on the land off Gloucester Road in Kidsgrove on Wednesday night after accessing the site via a gate near the bottom of the street.
read more...
Appeal from the heart to save Travellers’ sacred site at Loch Fyne - Argyll and Bute
From the Courier
Author and storyteller Jess Smith wants action to ensure that a site sacred to the Travelling community is saved for future generations.
She has launched an online petition urging the Scottish Government to ask Historic Scotland to investigate the action that can be taken to ensure the restoration and preservation of the Heart of Quartz stones, which overlook Loch Fyne.
read more...
Author and storyteller Jess Smith wants action to ensure that a site sacred to the Travelling community is saved for future generations.
She has launched an online petition urging the Scottish Government to ask Historic Scotland to investigate the action that can be taken to ensure the restoration and preservation of the Heart of Quartz stones, which overlook Loch Fyne.
read more...
Thursday 10 April 2014
Council’s handling of St Cyrus Travellers situation branded ‘a farce’ - Aberdeenshire
From the Courier
Aberdeenshire Council’s handling of the Travellers situation at St Cyrus has been branded “a farce” by residents.
Home owners near the unapproved site, which sits close to St Cyrus Nature Reserve, have repeatedly lambasted the council for its handling of the situation since a number of caravans and building materials appeared on the land last September.
Locals were shocked to see the land quickly transformed into a caravan site without council permission, and have hit out at the local authority after the Travellers withdrew their retrospective planning applications at the 11th hour.
The retraction of the planning applications has left residents living near the site in limbo over the future of the area, but the council’s area manager for Kincardine and Mearns, Willie Munro, has denied any council shortcomings and insisted policy was followed.
Homeowners are still too afraid to put their name in the public domain for fear of reprisals, but the recent development has left them calling for action.
One neighbour said: “We can’t quite understand how this has gone on so long. At least another two sheds have been built on the site and it looks like satellite TV dishes are there too.
“The other question is who owns the land?
“The council won’t say and the Travellers won’t say. It’s a farce from beginning to end and should never have happened.”
The two planning applications — one for a permanent caravan park and another for a turning circle and associated temporary holding facilities — were pulled from the grasp of councillors at the last minute by the Travellers.
The plans were recommended for refusal by council planning officers, a proposal backed by three out of four councillors, largely on the basis of flooding concerns.
An independent planning adviser now working with the Travellers has confirmed new applications will be submitted at some point in the future.
Mr Munro said the council had “followed its correct procedures” in dealing with the unapproved development, despite public criticism.
He said: “The planning application had been running through the standard process and was withdrawn by the applicant during the final stages.
“We have been advised that the new planning application will be lodged and will be addressing some of the issues which have been on-going.”
Meanwhile a court case between Aberdeenshire Council and James McCallum, the man named on the first and main application, is set to resume at Stonehaven Sheriff Court.
A sheriff is due to hear evidence in the dispute for the first time, following several false starts at previous hearings.
Aberdeenshire Council’s handling of the Travellers situation at St Cyrus has been branded “a farce” by residents.
Home owners near the unapproved site, which sits close to St Cyrus Nature Reserve, have repeatedly lambasted the council for its handling of the situation since a number of caravans and building materials appeared on the land last September.
Locals were shocked to see the land quickly transformed into a caravan site without council permission, and have hit out at the local authority after the Travellers withdrew their retrospective planning applications at the 11th hour.
The retraction of the planning applications has left residents living near the site in limbo over the future of the area, but the council’s area manager for Kincardine and Mearns, Willie Munro, has denied any council shortcomings and insisted policy was followed.
Homeowners are still too afraid to put their name in the public domain for fear of reprisals, but the recent development has left them calling for action.
One neighbour said: “We can’t quite understand how this has gone on so long. At least another two sheds have been built on the site and it looks like satellite TV dishes are there too.
“The other question is who owns the land?
“The council won’t say and the Travellers won’t say. It’s a farce from beginning to end and should never have happened.”
The two planning applications — one for a permanent caravan park and another for a turning circle and associated temporary holding facilities — were pulled from the grasp of councillors at the last minute by the Travellers.
The plans were recommended for refusal by council planning officers, a proposal backed by three out of four councillors, largely on the basis of flooding concerns.
An independent planning adviser now working with the Travellers has confirmed new applications will be submitted at some point in the future.
Mr Munro said the council had “followed its correct procedures” in dealing with the unapproved development, despite public criticism.
He said: “The planning application had been running through the standard process and was withdrawn by the applicant during the final stages.
“We have been advised that the new planning application will be lodged and will be addressing some of the issues which have been on-going.”
Meanwhile a court case between Aberdeenshire Council and James McCallum, the man named on the first and main application, is set to resume at Stonehaven Sheriff Court.
A sheriff is due to hear evidence in the dispute for the first time, following several false starts at previous hearings.
Plans for new Traveller site at Praze-an-Beeble unanimously rejected by Cornwall Council
From the West Briton
A CONTROVERSIAL application for a new Traveller site near Praze-an-Beeble has been turned down.
Plans from a Mr C Russell for change of use to a single family pitch in a field at Horsedowns, including a mobile home, compost toilet and shed, were unanimously rejected at a Cornwall Council planning committee meeting on Monday.
Councillors agreed the site was not in keeping with the surrounding countryside and said approving it would set a precedent.
When the proposal was put forward it caused outrage in the area and more than 100 people attended a public meeting earlier this year to object to the plans.
Local resident Martin Priest spoke on behalf of the local community at Monday's meeting, where he called for the plans to be turned down.
He said: "The consequences of a pitch on the land would be destructive to the countryside.
"We are against development in this field by anyone. Our concern is about a precedent it would set for unsustainable development."
The application also proposed some of the land be cultivated to include areas for tree planting, amenity space and a vegetable garden.
Crowan Parish Council objected to the plans, stating that the development would have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area.
Speaking at the planning meeting, parish council chairman Sandra Muriel said: "Crowan Parish Council has listened carefully to the significant number of concerns from our parishioners regarding this application.
"Previous applications for this site have been refused. We feel it would be unjust to approve this application."
Despite identifying a shortfall in Traveller pitches, planning officers recommended the site for refusal as it depended on a private vehicle to access services and facilities.
Cornwall councillor for Crowan and Wendron, Loveday Jenkin, spoke against the application, saying local residents' concerns about the site were legitimate.
She added: "If [the site] is not suitable for settled housing it should not be suitable for a Travellers' pitch."
A CONTROVERSIAL application for a new Traveller site near Praze-an-Beeble has been turned down.
Plans from a Mr C Russell for change of use to a single family pitch in a field at Horsedowns, including a mobile home, compost toilet and shed, were unanimously rejected at a Cornwall Council planning committee meeting on Monday.
Councillors agreed the site was not in keeping with the surrounding countryside and said approving it would set a precedent.
When the proposal was put forward it caused outrage in the area and more than 100 people attended a public meeting earlier this year to object to the plans.
Local resident Martin Priest spoke on behalf of the local community at Monday's meeting, where he called for the plans to be turned down.
He said: "The consequences of a pitch on the land would be destructive to the countryside.
"We are against development in this field by anyone. Our concern is about a precedent it would set for unsustainable development."
The application also proposed some of the land be cultivated to include areas for tree planting, amenity space and a vegetable garden.
Crowan Parish Council objected to the plans, stating that the development would have a detrimental effect on the surrounding area.
Speaking at the planning meeting, parish council chairman Sandra Muriel said: "Crowan Parish Council has listened carefully to the significant number of concerns from our parishioners regarding this application.
"Previous applications for this site have been refused. We feel it would be unjust to approve this application."
Despite identifying a shortfall in Traveller pitches, planning officers recommended the site for refusal as it depended on a private vehicle to access services and facilities.
Cornwall councillor for Crowan and Wendron, Loveday Jenkin, spoke against the application, saying local residents' concerns about the site were legitimate.
She added: "If [the site] is not suitable for settled housing it should not be suitable for a Travellers' pitch."
Liskeard Travellers' Site Plans Spark Anger - Cornwall
From Pirate FM
A Cornish woman brands plans for a Travellers' site near Liskeard "disgraceful."
Cornwall Council wants to create a transit area at South Treviddo off the A38.
People would be able to pitch up for a maximum of three months.
Emily Simpson tells Pirate FM they have had trouble with stuff like litter when people have stayed before: "Obviously there's security issues, we're a farm we have valuable stuff in sheds. With the last lot arriving we had to put the gates up at the end. It shouldn't be like that. We've had enough, we've got the tip next door, we've got a windmill; how much more do we have to take?
"I think it's disgraceful. We've had enough. The junction at the A38/B3252 is not designed for more traffic. It's not designed for the traffic it's taking and more vehicles with caravans, you know, how many more people have to die? It's wrong."
Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing are holding a public exhibition in the Public Hall in Liskeard on Thursday to invite residents to view and give their opinions on the possible site.
Jane Barlow, managing director of Cornwall Housing explains: "We really want those who live in and around the area to come and see the details; speak to representatives from Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing and give their views."
Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes and communities, Geoff Brown, said: "There is an urgent need for a managed transit site and this piece of Council owned land is available and suitable because of its accessibility and location for a short stay transit site for no more than 15 families. Properly managed sites will reduce the number of unauthorised encampments which will benefit Gypsies and Travellers and the local settled community alike."
A Cornish woman brands plans for a Travellers' site near Liskeard "disgraceful."
Cornwall Council wants to create a transit area at South Treviddo off the A38.
People would be able to pitch up for a maximum of three months.
Emily Simpson tells Pirate FM they have had trouble with stuff like litter when people have stayed before: "Obviously there's security issues, we're a farm we have valuable stuff in sheds. With the last lot arriving we had to put the gates up at the end. It shouldn't be like that. We've had enough, we've got the tip next door, we've got a windmill; how much more do we have to take?
"I think it's disgraceful. We've had enough. The junction at the A38/B3252 is not designed for more traffic. It's not designed for the traffic it's taking and more vehicles with caravans, you know, how many more people have to die? It's wrong."
Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing are holding a public exhibition in the Public Hall in Liskeard on Thursday to invite residents to view and give their opinions on the possible site.
Jane Barlow, managing director of Cornwall Housing explains: "We really want those who live in and around the area to come and see the details; speak to representatives from Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing and give their views."
Cornwall Council cabinet member for homes and communities, Geoff Brown, said: "There is an urgent need for a managed transit site and this piece of Council owned land is available and suitable because of its accessibility and location for a short stay transit site for no more than 15 families. Properly managed sites will reduce the number of unauthorised encampments which will benefit Gypsies and Travellers and the local settled community alike."
Holiday homes legislation causes 'headache' for Leicester Travellers' sites plans - Leicestershire
From the Leicester Mercury
A law designed to protect the rights of caravan park holiday home owners has forced the city council to rethink plans for Travellers' sites in Leicester.
The council has granted permission for 16 pitches over two sites it owns at Redhill Way and Greengate Lane, on the northern edge of Leicester. It had intended for them to be built and managed by the Framework housing association.
Now officials have discovered that by allowing another organisation to run them, it would lose control over who would be able to rent a pitch.
Under the Mobile Homes Act, after the first tenant puts up a temporary home on a pitch, they can sell or give it to whomever they choose, meaning the council would have no say over who lives there.
The council has decided to build and run the pitches itself. Framework, which successfully applied for planning permission, will be an advisor only.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby admitted the legislation presented the council with "a headache".
He said: "The law is there to protect the rights of mobile home owners on caravan parks, but it also covers us in this situation.
"I have written twice to Community Secretary Eric Pickles, asking him to amend the legislation and had a lengthy reply which basically says no.
"So we will have manage them ourselves.."
The cost of developing the 16 pitches is £1.83 million.
A report by planning officers says the Government's Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will provide a £1.39 million grant "leaving a shortfall of £390,000 to be funded by the council".
Sir Peter says the decision not to let Framework run the sites had not affected the cost of the scheme. He e said it was always the intention that the council should contribute the £390,000 he has just approved.
It is expected the site will cost £60,000 a year to run, which Sir Peter says will be covered by rents paid by tenants.
The council, which already runs a Travellers' site at Meynells Gorse, expects an income of £65,000 with the surplus covering rent arrears and un-let pitches.
Both sites are expected to be ready for occupation by the end of March 2015.
Lindsey Richards, head of Midlands South for the HCA, said: "This funding will help the city council to satisfy its legal duty to try to meet the accommodation needs of gypsies and Travellers.
"We are looking forward to the completion of both sites next year."
The HCA is also funding the council's revamp of its gypsy and Traveller site at Meynells Gorse.
Work on its 21 pitches will start later in the year and will be completed by March 2015.
A law designed to protect the rights of caravan park holiday home owners has forced the city council to rethink plans for Travellers' sites in Leicester.
The council has granted permission for 16 pitches over two sites it owns at Redhill Way and Greengate Lane, on the northern edge of Leicester. It had intended for them to be built and managed by the Framework housing association.
Now officials have discovered that by allowing another organisation to run them, it would lose control over who would be able to rent a pitch.
Under the Mobile Homes Act, after the first tenant puts up a temporary home on a pitch, they can sell or give it to whomever they choose, meaning the council would have no say over who lives there.
The council has decided to build and run the pitches itself. Framework, which successfully applied for planning permission, will be an advisor only.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby admitted the legislation presented the council with "a headache".
He said: "The law is there to protect the rights of mobile home owners on caravan parks, but it also covers us in this situation.
"I have written twice to Community Secretary Eric Pickles, asking him to amend the legislation and had a lengthy reply which basically says no.
"So we will have manage them ourselves.."
The cost of developing the 16 pitches is £1.83 million.
A report by planning officers says the Government's Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will provide a £1.39 million grant "leaving a shortfall of £390,000 to be funded by the council".
Sir Peter says the decision not to let Framework run the sites had not affected the cost of the scheme. He e said it was always the intention that the council should contribute the £390,000 he has just approved.
It is expected the site will cost £60,000 a year to run, which Sir Peter says will be covered by rents paid by tenants.
The council, which already runs a Travellers' site at Meynells Gorse, expects an income of £65,000 with the surplus covering rent arrears and un-let pitches.
Both sites are expected to be ready for occupation by the end of March 2015.
Lindsey Richards, head of Midlands South for the HCA, said: "This funding will help the city council to satisfy its legal duty to try to meet the accommodation needs of gypsies and Travellers.
"We are looking forward to the completion of both sites next year."
The HCA is also funding the council's revamp of its gypsy and Traveller site at Meynells Gorse.
Work on its 21 pitches will start later in the year and will be completed by March 2015.
Travellers set up camp on former Frome Cheese showfield - Somerset
From the Frome Standard
A GROUP of Travellers have set up camp on the former Frome Cheese showfield despite measures being put in place to prevent trespassing.
Up to six caravans, vans and cars have been parked on an area near the Cheese Show office, Frome Cricket Club and the Frome Collegians football pitch for the past few days and they are believed to have entered the field via the entrance to the Frome Medical Practice and the Cricket Club.
According to town councillor Adam Boyden (LibDem, Frome College) the last time a group of Travellers set up camp in 2012, there were reports of excrement left in nearby residents back gardens and the collegians pitch dug outs, antisocial behaviour and litter, which cost the district council in the region of £2,500 to clear, though that had not been confirmed.
He said: "I received calls and emails from local residents at the weekend to inform me that a group of Travellers had moved onto the old Showfield. I informed the landowners, Frome and District Agricultural Society (FDAS), Mendip District Council's enforcement officers and assets department (as leaseholders), Mendip's Cabinet members responsible, the Police, Frome Town Council, Frome Medical Practice, Frome Collegians football club, and other local councillors. Residents had also called the police, who attended the site quickly. Some residents are worried that their back gardens will be broken into and used as a toilet, as happened two years ago.
"After inspecting the site, it appears that the Travellers have gained entry by removing or breaking down the bollard between the health centre and cricket ground and I have informed the police of this."
Frome mother Sue Baker who walks the public footpath from the showfield to the Frome Health Centre regularly with her nine-year-old daughter Abie and their cockerpoodle dog Merlin claims they were nearly run over by a Transit van driver on Monday lunchtime.
She claims the van was being driven at about 40mph and she and her daughter were forced to jump onto the grass verge to avoid a collision. Mrs Baker has since reported the incident to the police, who are appealing for witnesses.
She said: "It was a frightening experience and it was obvious the driver had no intention of stopping. This is a public footpath used by a lot of families who go to the playground and by dog walkers and elderly people."
However since the incident yellow gates at the top of the Frome Cricket Club car park have been opened to give access from the Rodden Road end.
Mrs Baker added: "We were walking along a public footpath which should not be driven on. It would be like me deciding to drive my car through the Westway Precinct, it just wouldn't be allowed."
Frome police have said enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information on the driving incident is asked to contact them on 101.
Landowners FDAS declined to comment.
Mendip District Council said it was following the necessary procedure in order to secure the removal of the group.
A spokeswoman said: "Mendip District Council's enforcement officers are aware of the Travellers on the Frome Showfield site and the necessary process has been started to secure the removal of these persons. The police have been notified of the alleged damaged caused by the Travellers gaining entry to this site and are currently investigating."
A GROUP of Travellers have set up camp on the former Frome Cheese showfield despite measures being put in place to prevent trespassing.
Up to six caravans, vans and cars have been parked on an area near the Cheese Show office, Frome Cricket Club and the Frome Collegians football pitch for the past few days and they are believed to have entered the field via the entrance to the Frome Medical Practice and the Cricket Club.
According to town councillor Adam Boyden (LibDem, Frome College) the last time a group of Travellers set up camp in 2012, there were reports of excrement left in nearby residents back gardens and the collegians pitch dug outs, antisocial behaviour and litter, which cost the district council in the region of £2,500 to clear, though that had not been confirmed.
He said: "I received calls and emails from local residents at the weekend to inform me that a group of Travellers had moved onto the old Showfield. I informed the landowners, Frome and District Agricultural Society (FDAS), Mendip District Council's enforcement officers and assets department (as leaseholders), Mendip's Cabinet members responsible, the Police, Frome Town Council, Frome Medical Practice, Frome Collegians football club, and other local councillors. Residents had also called the police, who attended the site quickly. Some residents are worried that their back gardens will be broken into and used as a toilet, as happened two years ago.
"After inspecting the site, it appears that the Travellers have gained entry by removing or breaking down the bollard between the health centre and cricket ground and I have informed the police of this."
Frome mother Sue Baker who walks the public footpath from the showfield to the Frome Health Centre regularly with her nine-year-old daughter Abie and their cockerpoodle dog Merlin claims they were nearly run over by a Transit van driver on Monday lunchtime.
She claims the van was being driven at about 40mph and she and her daughter were forced to jump onto the grass verge to avoid a collision. Mrs Baker has since reported the incident to the police, who are appealing for witnesses.
She said: "It was a frightening experience and it was obvious the driver had no intention of stopping. This is a public footpath used by a lot of families who go to the playground and by dog walkers and elderly people."
However since the incident yellow gates at the top of the Frome Cricket Club car park have been opened to give access from the Rodden Road end.
Mrs Baker added: "We were walking along a public footpath which should not be driven on. It would be like me deciding to drive my car through the Westway Precinct, it just wouldn't be allowed."
Frome police have said enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information on the driving incident is asked to contact them on 101.
Landowners FDAS declined to comment.
Mendip District Council said it was following the necessary procedure in order to secure the removal of the group.
A spokeswoman said: "Mendip District Council's enforcement officers are aware of the Travellers on the Frome Showfield site and the necessary process has been started to secure the removal of these persons. The police have been notified of the alleged damaged caused by the Travellers gaining entry to this site and are currently investigating."
Travellers ordered to leave car park - Greater Manchester
From the Oldham Evening Chronicle
TRAVELLERS have been forced to leave a site in Royton after setting up an illegal camp earlier this week.
Seven caravans and other vehicles arrived on Tuesday evening at a car park on council land opposite St Anne’s Primary School. Environmental health officers contacted the police and visited the site yesterday. Police ordered the group to leave by 9am today.
After similar incidents in recent years, council-placed boulders prevented the Travellers getting into the nighbouring park.
“We don’t want to fence the park off and make it feel like Alcatraz just to stop people parking on the site, but we have had to compromise,” said local Councillor Steven Bashforth.
“It is inevitable that we will get people parking illegally like this in Royton due to the town being so close to a motorway.”
TRAVELLERS have been forced to leave a site in Royton after setting up an illegal camp earlier this week.
Seven caravans and other vehicles arrived on Tuesday evening at a car park on council land opposite St Anne’s Primary School. Environmental health officers contacted the police and visited the site yesterday. Police ordered the group to leave by 9am today.
After similar incidents in recent years, council-placed boulders prevented the Travellers getting into the nighbouring park.
“We don’t want to fence the park off and make it feel like Alcatraz just to stop people parking on the site, but we have had to compromise,” said local Councillor Steven Bashforth.
“It is inevitable that we will get people parking illegally like this in Royton due to the town being so close to a motorway.”
New housing sites for York - and controversial Travellers' site plans changed - Yorkshire
From the Press
CONTROVERSIAL plans for two Travellers sites in York are set to be abandoned, while potential new sites for housing schemes have been revealed...
...It also said creating a Travellers site on the section of the land which is not prone to flooding would have “a significant adverse effect on the village’s character and setting” and would “encroach” on the surrounding countryside.
The site on Malton Road is also set to be dropped because the land would be too expensive.
Officials have also said the existing Osbaldwick site should not be expanded beyond the six extra pitches already planned, although three pitches for travelling showpeople could be created at a site called The Stables, in Elvington, and seven more pitches for Travellers may be set up at a separate site on Elvington Lane.
The report said York is likely to need 66 more pitches for Travellers over the 15-year lifespan of the Local Plan, which runs up to 2030, and the current proposals would leave a shortfall of 59, as well as a need to find five more plots for showpeople. It said “further site or policy options” will have to be looked at.
The Local Plan is expected to be in place by the start of next year and the council said it would formalise York’s green belt for the first time, but the amount of housing already proposed for greenfield sites has been heavily criticised since the proposals first emerged a year ago...
CONTROVERSIAL plans for two Travellers sites in York are set to be abandoned, while potential new sites for housing schemes have been revealed...
...It also said creating a Travellers site on the section of the land which is not prone to flooding would have “a significant adverse effect on the village’s character and setting” and would “encroach” on the surrounding countryside.
The site on Malton Road is also set to be dropped because the land would be too expensive.
Officials have also said the existing Osbaldwick site should not be expanded beyond the six extra pitches already planned, although three pitches for travelling showpeople could be created at a site called The Stables, in Elvington, and seven more pitches for Travellers may be set up at a separate site on Elvington Lane.
The report said York is likely to need 66 more pitches for Travellers over the 15-year lifespan of the Local Plan, which runs up to 2030, and the current proposals would leave a shortfall of 59, as well as a need to find five more plots for showpeople. It said “further site or policy options” will have to be looked at.
The Local Plan is expected to be in place by the start of next year and the council said it would formalise York’s green belt for the first time, but the amount of housing already proposed for greenfield sites has been heavily criticised since the proposals first emerged a year ago...
Travellers park on emergency air ambulance site in East Brighton Park - Sussex
From the Argus
This was the scene yesterday as a group of Travellers parked on the landing site used by the air ambulance service.
Residents and Travellers watched as two helicopters landed on the football pitch at East Brighton Park.
Police held back a convoy of vehicles and caravans trying to get on to the site from Roedean Road, causing traffic chaos as they waited for the helicopters to leave.
The Travellers arrived yesterday morning and set up camp on the pitches which are used by the Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance to ferry patients to and from the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
One of the helicopters that landed amidst the upheaval yesterday was carrying a 69-year-old woman who had fallen from a horse in Rocks Lane, High Hurstwood.
Just hours after the Travellers moved onto the site, police officers asked them to go.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police were informed of Travellers at East Brighton Park off Wilson Avenue, Brighton on Wednesday at around midday.
“Two helicopters needed to land at the park for medical emergencies and the Travellers moved immediately to allow them to land.
“They have now been served with a notice under Section 61 of the Public Order Act requiring the Travellers to leave. They are now in the process of leaving.”
The Travellers however, said they had nowhere else to go.
John Doherty, one of the Travellers, said: “We would be happy to go to the transit site at Horsdean and pay the fee but we are currently not allowed on to it due to drainage problems.
“We have been on the road and we need fuel and food. We just need to stay a few days.”
A council spokesman said: “There is reduced capacity at the Horsdean transit site because of drainage issues.
Total capacity is down from 17 units to ten.
“Of these six are currently occupied. We have offered the other four to members of the group at East Brighton Park but they have declined them as there is not enough availability to accommodate the whole group and they wish to stick together.
“Under these circumstances we have no powers to force them to accept our offer.”
Resident Lucy Shuttleworth said: “They are people and they get hounded everywhere, they need to have somewhere to go.”
Witnesses said the first group of Travellers made their way on to the site while the gate was open for a tractor that was mowing the pitch.
A second group of Travellers then arrived but were held by police while an air ambulance took off.
It is not known if these are the same Travellers who left Stanmer Park before an eviction could take place yesterday.
A planning application was approved in February for a permanent site of 12 pitches at Horsdean.
see also: Brighton and Hove news - Travellers ordered off Brighton air ambulance landing site
This was the scene yesterday as a group of Travellers parked on the landing site used by the air ambulance service.
Residents and Travellers watched as two helicopters landed on the football pitch at East Brighton Park.
Police held back a convoy of vehicles and caravans trying to get on to the site from Roedean Road, causing traffic chaos as they waited for the helicopters to leave.
The Travellers arrived yesterday morning and set up camp on the pitches which are used by the Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance to ferry patients to and from the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
One of the helicopters that landed amidst the upheaval yesterday was carrying a 69-year-old woman who had fallen from a horse in Rocks Lane, High Hurstwood.
Just hours after the Travellers moved onto the site, police officers asked them to go.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police were informed of Travellers at East Brighton Park off Wilson Avenue, Brighton on Wednesday at around midday.
“Two helicopters needed to land at the park for medical emergencies and the Travellers moved immediately to allow them to land.
“They have now been served with a notice under Section 61 of the Public Order Act requiring the Travellers to leave. They are now in the process of leaving.”
The Travellers however, said they had nowhere else to go.
John Doherty, one of the Travellers, said: “We would be happy to go to the transit site at Horsdean and pay the fee but we are currently not allowed on to it due to drainage problems.
“We have been on the road and we need fuel and food. We just need to stay a few days.”
A council spokesman said: “There is reduced capacity at the Horsdean transit site because of drainage issues.
Total capacity is down from 17 units to ten.
“Of these six are currently occupied. We have offered the other four to members of the group at East Brighton Park but they have declined them as there is not enough availability to accommodate the whole group and they wish to stick together.
“Under these circumstances we have no powers to force them to accept our offer.”
Resident Lucy Shuttleworth said: “They are people and they get hounded everywhere, they need to have somewhere to go.”
Witnesses said the first group of Travellers made their way on to the site while the gate was open for a tractor that was mowing the pitch.
A second group of Travellers then arrived but were held by police while an air ambulance took off.
It is not known if these are the same Travellers who left Stanmer Park before an eviction could take place yesterday.
A planning application was approved in February for a permanent site of 12 pitches at Horsdean.
see also: Brighton and Hove news - Travellers ordered off Brighton air ambulance landing site
Brecon Gypsy and Traveller site at King's Meadow opens - Powys
From the BBC
A 15-year search for a permanent home for a family of Romany Gypsies in Brecon has ended with the opening of a new site.
The site at King's Meadow in Brecon has been backed by nearly £2m of Welsh government funds.
It is the first new local authority-owned site built in Wales since 1997.
The family had been living on a temporary site near Brecon since 2008 and before that lived in a lay-by in nearby Libanus.
There are currently 10 occupied residential plots with room for another four at the camp, adjacent to Brecon Enterprise Park.
Powys council had originally planned to build a permanent Travellers' site in Llanfilo, near Brecon, but its own planning committee twice turned down applications for it.
In 2008, the council temporarily placed the family in nearby Cefn Cantref but it did so without planning permission from Brecon Beacons National Park. The national park accused the council of a "flagrant disregard of planning policy".
An application by the council to extend the family's stay at Cefn Cantref until April 2012 was turned down by the national park in 2010, but an appeal against the decision was upheld by the planning inspectorate.
In April 2010, the saga cost the council and national park authority £250 each when the public service ombudsman for Wales partially upheld a complaint by a property developer, who owned land adjacent to Cefn Cantref.
Suitable location
Powys council was criticised for moving the family there without planning consent, while the national park authority was criticised for taking eight months to deal with a retrospective planning application for the site.
The ombudsman urged the council to find the Gypsy family a suitable location as a matter of urgency.
The King's Meadow site was opened by the Welsh government's Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Jeff Cuthbert.
"I sincerely hope this site will be the first of many more new local authority sites to be built in Wales during the next five to 10 years," he said.
"We want to ensure the accommodation needs of all Gypsies and Travellers are adequately addressed."
The site is the second of its kind in Powys alongside the Withybeds camp in Welshpool which received a £1.3m revamp in 2010.
A 15-year search for a permanent home for a family of Romany Gypsies in Brecon has ended with the opening of a new site.
The site at King's Meadow in Brecon has been backed by nearly £2m of Welsh government funds.
It is the first new local authority-owned site built in Wales since 1997.
The family had been living on a temporary site near Brecon since 2008 and before that lived in a lay-by in nearby Libanus.
There are currently 10 occupied residential plots with room for another four at the camp, adjacent to Brecon Enterprise Park.
Powys council had originally planned to build a permanent Travellers' site in Llanfilo, near Brecon, but its own planning committee twice turned down applications for it.
In 2008, the council temporarily placed the family in nearby Cefn Cantref but it did so without planning permission from Brecon Beacons National Park. The national park accused the council of a "flagrant disregard of planning policy".
An application by the council to extend the family's stay at Cefn Cantref until April 2012 was turned down by the national park in 2010, but an appeal against the decision was upheld by the planning inspectorate.
In April 2010, the saga cost the council and national park authority £250 each when the public service ombudsman for Wales partially upheld a complaint by a property developer, who owned land adjacent to Cefn Cantref.
Suitable location
Powys council was criticised for moving the family there without planning consent, while the national park authority was criticised for taking eight months to deal with a retrospective planning application for the site.
The ombudsman urged the council to find the Gypsy family a suitable location as a matter of urgency.
The King's Meadow site was opened by the Welsh government's Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Jeff Cuthbert.
"I sincerely hope this site will be the first of many more new local authority sites to be built in Wales during the next five to 10 years," he said.
"We want to ensure the accommodation needs of all Gypsies and Travellers are adequately addressed."
The site is the second of its kind in Powys alongside the Withybeds camp in Welshpool which received a £1.3m revamp in 2010.
Wednesday 9 April 2014
Travellers block Leeds city centre car park - Yorkshire
From the Yorkshire Evening Post
LEEDS City Council is facing more calls to come up with a permanent solution after two Traveller camps appeared in different locations in the city.
Around 17 caravans were reported at the old South Leeds Sports Centre in Beeston after boltcroppers were used to break into car park.
Residents claimed ugly confrontations with the travelling families were preventing the Beeston Broncos junior rugby teams from training or playing home matches while angry club members claimed they faced a significant clean-up once the Travellers had moved on
Meanwhile, another smaller encampment has also appeared this week under the inner ring road flyover at the intersection with Wellington Street.
Around ten caravans have taken up spaces, forcing drivers who usually use the site to find parking spaces elsewhere.
A Leeds City Council spokesman said: “We know unlawful encampments can have a detrimental impact on communities and we need to balance this with the welfare and needs of Travellers.
“We take concerns from local residents seriously and work closely with representatives of the gypsy and Traveller community to find pragmatic ways to deliver sites where Travellers can stay.
“We are also aware that the time taken for legal enforcement procedures to be processed by courts and carried out can be frustrating but we are making sure that we act as promptly as possible.”
LEEDS City Council is facing more calls to come up with a permanent solution after two Traveller camps appeared in different locations in the city.
Around 17 caravans were reported at the old South Leeds Sports Centre in Beeston after boltcroppers were used to break into car park.
Residents claimed ugly confrontations with the travelling families were preventing the Beeston Broncos junior rugby teams from training or playing home matches while angry club members claimed they faced a significant clean-up once the Travellers had moved on
Meanwhile, another smaller encampment has also appeared this week under the inner ring road flyover at the intersection with Wellington Street.
Around ten caravans have taken up spaces, forcing drivers who usually use the site to find parking spaces elsewhere.
A Leeds City Council spokesman said: “We know unlawful encampments can have a detrimental impact on communities and we need to balance this with the welfare and needs of Travellers.
“We take concerns from local residents seriously and work closely with representatives of the gypsy and Traveller community to find pragmatic ways to deliver sites where Travellers can stay.
“We are also aware that the time taken for legal enforcement procedures to be processed by courts and carried out can be frustrating but we are making sure that we act as promptly as possible.”
Work on Leicester Travellers' sites to start in summer - Leicestershire
From ITV
Work to construct two controversial permanent Gyspy and Traveller sites in Leicester will start this summer.
Leicester City Council will provide £400,000 towards the developments at Redhill Way and Greengate Lane.
Another one and a half million pounds will come from the Housing and Communities Agency.
Both sites are due to be ready by March next year, despite residents strongly protesting against them.
The city council has previously been accused of not consulting residents properly over the plans.
Work to construct two controversial permanent Gyspy and Traveller sites in Leicester will start this summer.
Leicester City Council will provide £400,000 towards the developments at Redhill Way and Greengate Lane.
Another one and a half million pounds will come from the Housing and Communities Agency.
Both sites are due to be ready by March next year, despite residents strongly protesting against them.
The city council has previously been accused of not consulting residents properly over the plans.
Six convicted after shocking footage shows violence at Wickham horse fair - Hampshire
From the News
MEMBERS of two families have admitted being involved in a mass brawl at Wickham Horse Fair.
Catapults and a baton were wielded, and kicks and punches were thrown in the display of violence in front of shocked onlookers.
Now six people – two from one family and four from another – have admitted various charges in relation to the fight.
The violence that took place in Winchester Road in Wickham was captured on CCTV by the RSPCA who had attended the event on the look-out for any potential animal cruelty.
But instead their camera caught the lengthy brawl, which continued even as police arrived and tried to restore order.
Several of the defendants were left bloodied or with ripped clothing following the brawl which involved Esta Keet, 52, Ricky Keet, 24, James Albert Kempster, 27, James Kempster senior, 40, Horace Kempster, 20, and Albert Kempster, 19.
The dramatic footage shows a member of the Keet family – David – standing in the street when a member of the Kempster family aims a catapult at him and he is knocked to the ground.
The pair appear to tussle before James Kempster senior approaches Mr Keet brandishing a whip.
Matthew Lawson, prosecuting at Portsmouth Crown Court, said: ‘Esta then extends an asp (baton), and uses it to hit down on James Kempster who is assaulting her husband David.’
Ricky Keet can be seen firing a catapult which hits Horace Kempster in the face. Three police officers then intervene and split up David Keet and James Kempster.
Mr Lawson added: ‘Horace Kempster returns and launches a kick at the head of Mr Keet who is lying on the floor.’
Esta Keet can again be seen using the asp, this time to hit Horace Kempster.
Elsewhere a catapult is aimed by Ricky Keet towards James Kempster senior.
Esta Keet again strikes out with the asp, then another man – David Digger Keet – strikes James Kempster as he is detained by police, before being detained by officers on May 20 last year.
Esta Keet, of Long Road, Soberton, admitted possessing an offensive weapon. Ricky Keet, of the same address, admitted one count of assault occasioning actually bodily harm.
Albert Kempster, of Marchwood Road, Totton, admitted assault.
Horace Kempster, of the same address, admitted affray.
James Kempster junior, 27, also of Marchwood Road, Totton, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and his dad, James Kempster senior, of the same address, admitted ABH.
Recorder Nicholas Rowland released all six defendants on conditional bail to reappear at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing next month.
David Digger Keet, 28, of Long Road, Soberton, admitted one count of assault during an earlier hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.
He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £300 costs.
MEMBERS of two families have admitted being involved in a mass brawl at Wickham Horse Fair.
Catapults and a baton were wielded, and kicks and punches were thrown in the display of violence in front of shocked onlookers.
Now six people – two from one family and four from another – have admitted various charges in relation to the fight.
The violence that took place in Winchester Road in Wickham was captured on CCTV by the RSPCA who had attended the event on the look-out for any potential animal cruelty.
But instead their camera caught the lengthy brawl, which continued even as police arrived and tried to restore order.
Several of the defendants were left bloodied or with ripped clothing following the brawl which involved Esta Keet, 52, Ricky Keet, 24, James Albert Kempster, 27, James Kempster senior, 40, Horace Kempster, 20, and Albert Kempster, 19.
The dramatic footage shows a member of the Keet family – David – standing in the street when a member of the Kempster family aims a catapult at him and he is knocked to the ground.
The pair appear to tussle before James Kempster senior approaches Mr Keet brandishing a whip.
Matthew Lawson, prosecuting at Portsmouth Crown Court, said: ‘Esta then extends an asp (baton), and uses it to hit down on James Kempster who is assaulting her husband David.’
Ricky Keet can be seen firing a catapult which hits Horace Kempster in the face. Three police officers then intervene and split up David Keet and James Kempster.
Mr Lawson added: ‘Horace Kempster returns and launches a kick at the head of Mr Keet who is lying on the floor.’
Esta Keet can again be seen using the asp, this time to hit Horace Kempster.
Elsewhere a catapult is aimed by Ricky Keet towards James Kempster senior.
Esta Keet again strikes out with the asp, then another man – David Digger Keet – strikes James Kempster as he is detained by police, before being detained by officers on May 20 last year.
Esta Keet, of Long Road, Soberton, admitted possessing an offensive weapon. Ricky Keet, of the same address, admitted one count of assault occasioning actually bodily harm.
Albert Kempster, of Marchwood Road, Totton, admitted assault.
Horace Kempster, of the same address, admitted affray.
James Kempster junior, 27, also of Marchwood Road, Totton, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and his dad, James Kempster senior, of the same address, admitted ABH.
Recorder Nicholas Rowland released all six defendants on conditional bail to reappear at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing next month.
David Digger Keet, 28, of Long Road, Soberton, admitted one count of assault during an earlier hearing at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.
He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and told to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £300 costs.
Inquest into death of toddler at Travellers' site - Suffolk
From ITV
An inquest will take place today into the death of a toddler who was hit by a van at a Travellers' site in Ipswich.
Ryan Ward, who was 20 months old and from Newry County Down in Northern Ireland, died in July last year at the Lovetofts Drive park where a group of Travellers had been staying.
A post-mortem examination found he died from head injuries.
An inquest will take place today into the death of a toddler who was hit by a van at a Travellers' site in Ipswich.
Ryan Ward, who was 20 months old and from Newry County Down in Northern Ireland, died in July last year at the Lovetofts Drive park where a group of Travellers had been staying.
A post-mortem examination found he died from head injuries.
Fire service to spend £28k on Traveller sites - Essex
From the Echo
ESSEX fire service will spend £28,000 carrying out safety checks at Travellers’ sites.
The county’s fire authority is proposing safety visits to 174 sites across Essex.
The move has been described a waste of taxpayers’ cash, but the service claims the visits help drive down fires on Traveller sites.
The service carried out 44 visits to sites last year to give Travellers advice, ensuring there were no obstructions to fire hydrants and making sure caravans were not parked too closely together.
The policy came into force after a number of Traveller deaths related to fires.
There have been a handful of fire-related deaths at sites in the county, most notably at Dale Farm, near Basildon, where there was a fatal caravan fire in 2005.
Since the checks were adopted in January 2012, the service says number of incidents has fallen by just four.
Ukip county councillor Kerry Smith, who sits on the fire authority voted against the proposals.
He said: “This is a complete waste of money.
“Residents usually have to phone and ask for a fire safety check, so I’m not sure why Travellers should have special treatment.”
From July 2011 to June 2012, the fire service was called to 23 incidents at Traveller sites in the county.
Between July 2012 and June 2013, the figure was 19.
The authority wants a 50 per cent reduction in incidents over the next three years.
A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “We have a duty to keep all families safe, particularly those identified as being vulnerable.
“We have a range of early intervention programmes for all targeted wards where we have identified groups of people at risk.
“The cash also goes towards educational seminars for the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit.”
The £28,000 funding is set to be approved in the 2014/15 budget.
ESSEX fire service will spend £28,000 carrying out safety checks at Travellers’ sites.
The county’s fire authority is proposing safety visits to 174 sites across Essex.
The move has been described a waste of taxpayers’ cash, but the service claims the visits help drive down fires on Traveller sites.
The service carried out 44 visits to sites last year to give Travellers advice, ensuring there were no obstructions to fire hydrants and making sure caravans were not parked too closely together.
The policy came into force after a number of Traveller deaths related to fires.
There have been a handful of fire-related deaths at sites in the county, most notably at Dale Farm, near Basildon, where there was a fatal caravan fire in 2005.
Since the checks were adopted in January 2012, the service says number of incidents has fallen by just four.
Ukip county councillor Kerry Smith, who sits on the fire authority voted against the proposals.
He said: “This is a complete waste of money.
“Residents usually have to phone and ask for a fire safety check, so I’m not sure why Travellers should have special treatment.”
From July 2011 to June 2012, the fire service was called to 23 incidents at Traveller sites in the county.
Between July 2012 and June 2013, the figure was 19.
The authority wants a 50 per cent reduction in incidents over the next three years.
A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “We have a duty to keep all families safe, particularly those identified as being vulnerable.
“We have a range of early intervention programmes for all targeted wards where we have identified groups of people at risk.
“The cash also goes towards educational seminars for the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit.”
The £28,000 funding is set to be approved in the 2014/15 budget.
Lorry gets stuck picking up bins at Travellers camp in Aberdeen - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
The bins had been placed near a multi-storey block in Seaton, Aberdeen to make it easier for pick-ups of Travellers rubbish.
But, after the bins were moved, the lorry driver was forced to go on to grass next to the Aulton pitches and became stuck.
The vehicle was stranded for more than an hour before workers were able to move it.
As reported in the Evening Express, goalposts have reportedly been vandalised at the pitches and kids’ football matches were cancelled after a large group of Travellers set up camp.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said the authority had placed the bins near the multi-storey building. He said the refuse lorry has since been removed.”
The bins had been placed near a multi-storey block in Seaton, Aberdeen to make it easier for pick-ups of Travellers rubbish.
But, after the bins were moved, the lorry driver was forced to go on to grass next to the Aulton pitches and became stuck.
The vehicle was stranded for more than an hour before workers were able to move it.
As reported in the Evening Express, goalposts have reportedly been vandalised at the pitches and kids’ football matches were cancelled after a large group of Travellers set up camp.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said the authority had placed the bins near the multi-storey building. He said the refuse lorry has since been removed.”
Travellers move on from Shenfield Common - Essex
From the Brentwood Gazette
Travellers that we spotted on Shenfield Common this morning have now left, it has been confirmed.
Reports of caravans on the Ingrave Road expanse were first made to Essex Police at 12.06pm yesterday.
But at 11.45am today, Brentwood Borough Council confirmed they have now left.
Travellers that we spotted on Shenfield Common this morning have now left, it has been confirmed.
Reports of caravans on the Ingrave Road expanse were first made to Essex Police at 12.06pm yesterday.
But at 11.45am today, Brentwood Borough Council confirmed they have now left.
Traveller Article of Great Concern to Equality Authority - Ireland
From the Equality Authority
The Equality Authority notes with great concern the tone and content of Brenda Power's opinion piece in today's Daily Mail. On International Traveller and Roma day - a time to promote a more inclusive society, the editorial judgment and assertion that all members of communities behave in the same negative manner is not only untrue but designed to be demeaning, hurtful and risk incitement. The Equality Authority continues to support the right of Travellers to assert their ethnicity. Based on evidence, we continue to legally assist Travellers and Roma as they face ongoing discrimination in accessing health, education and the services enjoyed by many others in our society. The contribution of the Daily Mail, especially on this International Day is shameful and the column should be withdrawn.
see also: the Independent.ie - Daily Mail's column on Travellers 'shameful' - Equality Authority
The Journal.ie - Traveller group hits out at “hate speech” Daily Mail article
The Irish Times - ‘Daily Mail’ column on Travellers criticised by Equality Authority
The Equality Authority notes with great concern the tone and content of Brenda Power's opinion piece in today's Daily Mail. On International Traveller and Roma day - a time to promote a more inclusive society, the editorial judgment and assertion that all members of communities behave in the same negative manner is not only untrue but designed to be demeaning, hurtful and risk incitement. The Equality Authority continues to support the right of Travellers to assert their ethnicity. Based on evidence, we continue to legally assist Travellers and Roma as they face ongoing discrimination in accessing health, education and the services enjoyed by many others in our society. The contribution of the Daily Mail, especially on this International Day is shameful and the column should be withdrawn.
see also: the Independent.ie - Daily Mail's column on Travellers 'shameful' - Equality Authority
The Journal.ie - Traveller group hits out at “hate speech” Daily Mail article
The Irish Times - ‘Daily Mail’ column on Travellers criticised by Equality Authority
Ringland residents slam Gypsy site plans - Newport
From the South Wales Argus
RESIDENTS have told a council inspector Travellers would not be safe if plans for a Gypsy site on Hartridge Farm road were to go ahead.
Yesterday’s hearing examining the council’s Local Development Plan, focused on the three Gypsy and Traveller sites proposed by the plan, which include Hartridge Farm Road, Celtic Way in Coedkernew and Ringland allotments.
The council has identified an immediate need for three separate families which require a total of 23 pitches. It predicts the need to rise to 43 pitches by 2026.
Councillors and residents raised concerns about the already high levels of anti-social behaviour in the Ringland area.
Frank Weston, from the Ringland Matters Group, said: “The crime figures for Ringland are the highest. The Bettws site was rejected because of the potential for anti-social behaviour.”
Councillor Emma Corten said: “There have been issues with perceptions of Traveller families. My main concern is for the safety of the children who will occupy the site.”
Carly Pile lives in one of the houses on Hartridge Farm Road, which borders the site. She said the site could “dominate” the area and echoed Cllr Corten’s concerns.
She said: “My main issue is the safety of the children going to the school and the safety of the Travellers’ children.”
Head of planning, Mark Hand said: “I think some of the fears come from a fear of the unknown. From the council’s view, we already know these families and don’t envisage the problems residents are concerned about.”
Former councillor, David Hando, a trustee of the Newport Traveller Sites Study Group and a resident of Ringland said his concerns regarded the effect on Llanwern High – previously Hartridge school. He claimed all the work done to build up education in the east of the city will be undermined.
He said: “We built a new school to persuade people to come to this school and it worked. They are proud of the school. That is all going to be put at risk.
“It’s not the effect of the Traveller children in the school, it’s the perception of parents. They will not send their children to a school with a Traveller site on the doorstep.”
But Mr Hand disagreed. He said: “I can’t see a reason why people would view a school differently because of who is next door.”
Under the Housing Act, the council is obliged to identify and address the need in its area for Gipsy and Traveller sites. The Inspector’s report on the LDP will be published later this year.
RESIDENTS have told a council inspector Travellers would not be safe if plans for a Gypsy site on Hartridge Farm road were to go ahead.
Yesterday’s hearing examining the council’s Local Development Plan, focused on the three Gypsy and Traveller sites proposed by the plan, which include Hartridge Farm Road, Celtic Way in Coedkernew and Ringland allotments.
The council has identified an immediate need for three separate families which require a total of 23 pitches. It predicts the need to rise to 43 pitches by 2026.
Councillors and residents raised concerns about the already high levels of anti-social behaviour in the Ringland area.
Frank Weston, from the Ringland Matters Group, said: “The crime figures for Ringland are the highest. The Bettws site was rejected because of the potential for anti-social behaviour.”
Councillor Emma Corten said: “There have been issues with perceptions of Traveller families. My main concern is for the safety of the children who will occupy the site.”
Carly Pile lives in one of the houses on Hartridge Farm Road, which borders the site. She said the site could “dominate” the area and echoed Cllr Corten’s concerns.
She said: “My main issue is the safety of the children going to the school and the safety of the Travellers’ children.”
Head of planning, Mark Hand said: “I think some of the fears come from a fear of the unknown. From the council’s view, we already know these families and don’t envisage the problems residents are concerned about.”
Former councillor, David Hando, a trustee of the Newport Traveller Sites Study Group and a resident of Ringland said his concerns regarded the effect on Llanwern High – previously Hartridge school. He claimed all the work done to build up education in the east of the city will be undermined.
He said: “We built a new school to persuade people to come to this school and it worked. They are proud of the school. That is all going to be put at risk.
“It’s not the effect of the Traveller children in the school, it’s the perception of parents. They will not send their children to a school with a Traveller site on the doorstep.”
But Mr Hand disagreed. He said: “I can’t see a reason why people would view a school differently because of who is next door.”
Under the Housing Act, the council is obliged to identify and address the need in its area for Gipsy and Traveller sites. The Inspector’s report on the LDP will be published later this year.
Amnesty International Accuses EU States of Discrimination Against Roma
From voanews.com
Amnesty International is condemning the European Union for what it says is the EU's failure to curb violence, discrimination, and intimidation of Roma.
On the International Roma Day Tuesday, Amnesty said some Roma communities in Europe live under the constant threat of violence and pogrom-like attacks.
The group said Europe's response has been "woefully inadequate." It said that in some cases, European states fuel the problem when police fail to prevent or investigate attacks.
Amnesty called on the EU to commit visibly and wholeheartedly to wipe out the scourge of anti-Roma discrimination and violence.
Roma, sometimes called Gypsies, are a traditionally nomadic people who are known for setting up communities inside and on the outskirts of cities.
Police accuse them of crime, child kidnappings, and say they refuse to integrate into society.
Roma say they face constant discrimination, especially when they seek jobs, medical treatment, or try to enter schools.
Amnesty International is condemning the European Union for what it says is the EU's failure to curb violence, discrimination, and intimidation of Roma.
On the International Roma Day Tuesday, Amnesty said some Roma communities in Europe live under the constant threat of violence and pogrom-like attacks.
The group said Europe's response has been "woefully inadequate." It said that in some cases, European states fuel the problem when police fail to prevent or investigate attacks.
Amnesty called on the EU to commit visibly and wholeheartedly to wipe out the scourge of anti-Roma discrimination and violence.
Roma, sometimes called Gypsies, are a traditionally nomadic people who are known for setting up communities inside and on the outskirts of cities.
Police accuse them of crime, child kidnappings, and say they refuse to integrate into society.
Roma say they face constant discrimination, especially when they seek jobs, medical treatment, or try to enter schools.
Tuesday 8 April 2014
International Romani Day: and why this year will be my last.
From Pipopotamus
Last year I asked the question “Why are Britain’s Romani not at the forefront of International Romani Day action?”; a simple question, you would expect, yet, one that seemed to unsettle the so called activists who had turned this day into a Dale Farm Remembrance day. This was the first year in which I felt uneasy celebrating International Romani Day, in fact, it was the start of a year long journey of confronting and rebuffing everything I had ever taken for granted: my knowledge of self and my knowledge of us – the Romani people. This year will be my last International Romani Day – an unexpected statement some may say, given my usual forthright support of all things Romani. I’m still a proud Romani man; I’m still passionate and sincere about equality; but on my journey of discovery I recognised how distant this day has become from us – the Romani people – who it superficially aids.
read more...
Last year I asked the question “Why are Britain’s Romani not at the forefront of International Romani Day action?”; a simple question, you would expect, yet, one that seemed to unsettle the so called activists who had turned this day into a Dale Farm Remembrance day. This was the first year in which I felt uneasy celebrating International Romani Day, in fact, it was the start of a year long journey of confronting and rebuffing everything I had ever taken for granted: my knowledge of self and my knowledge of us – the Romani people. This year will be my last International Romani Day – an unexpected statement some may say, given my usual forthright support of all things Romani. I’m still a proud Romani man; I’m still passionate and sincere about equality; but on my journey of discovery I recognised how distant this day has become from us – the Romani people – who it superficially aids.
read more...
Stanmer Park Traveller camp could be evicted today - Sussex
From the Argus
Brighton and Hove City Council are in court today to evict a group of Travellers who have set up at Stanmer Park.
The Irish Travellers and English Gypsies arrived with 22 trailers on land at Stanmer Park in Brighton last month. .
Brighton and Hove City Council representatives, along with police, have visited the group ahead of a possession hearing in the county court today.
A council spokesman said: “This will enable us to arrange for an eviction to be carried out as soon as practicable, should the families fail to leave the site voluntarily.”
He added: “Officers will continue to work closely with the police to deal with any antisocial behaviour issues arising or support required.”
Brighton and Hove City Council are in court today to evict a group of Travellers who have set up at Stanmer Park.
The Irish Travellers and English Gypsies arrived with 22 trailers on land at Stanmer Park in Brighton last month. .
Brighton and Hove City Council representatives, along with police, have visited the group ahead of a possession hearing in the county court today.
A council spokesman said: “This will enable us to arrange for an eviction to be carried out as soon as practicable, should the families fail to leave the site voluntarily.”
He added: “Officers will continue to work closely with the police to deal with any antisocial behaviour issues arising or support required.”
Council serves notice against Travellers on Burnham's seafront lawns - Somerset
From the Burnham-On-Sea.com
Sedgemoor District Council has served notice on a group of Travellers who pitched up on Burnham's seafront lawns.
The council has taken action after concern from local residents about the three caravans located on the South Esplanade lawns near the town's Yacht Club, pictured here.
They arrived on Saturday afternoon and were still in place on Monday, although one of the vans moved to an area of grass nearby.
Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman Sam Taylor told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We have served notice on two of the three Traveller caravans."
"One is not on our property, so we can't take action against all three, but they have been given until Tuesday morning to leave or legal action will be started."
Several residents had contacted the council to seek their removal.
One resident, Paul Hambleton, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We are concerned by the arrival of the caravans. It's not good for tourism when visitors and walkers see them parked up along our seafront like this."
Sedgemoor District Council has served notice on a group of Travellers who pitched up on Burnham's seafront lawns.
The council has taken action after concern from local residents about the three caravans located on the South Esplanade lawns near the town's Yacht Club, pictured here.
They arrived on Saturday afternoon and were still in place on Monday, although one of the vans moved to an area of grass nearby.
Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman Sam Taylor told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We have served notice on two of the three Traveller caravans."
"One is not on our property, so we can't take action against all three, but they have been given until Tuesday morning to leave or legal action will be started."
Several residents had contacted the council to seek their removal.
One resident, Paul Hambleton, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We are concerned by the arrival of the caravans. It's not good for tourism when visitors and walkers see them parked up along our seafront like this."
Sports charity faces £20,000 clean-up bill after Travellers leave golf club site - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
AN ABERDEEN charity is expected to be hit with a clean-up bill of as much £20,000 after rubbish was left at a city golf course.
Rubble, rubbish and human waste were found scattered in heaps in the grass after a group of 30 caravans left the Nigg Bay Golf Course site in Aberdeen on Friday.
Sport Aberdeen now faces having to fork out thousands of pounds to clear up the mess left behind at Nigg Bay Golf Club.
Outdoor services manager Nigel Spencer said the sports trust was counting the clean up cost
He added: “It will require the use of a specialist cleaning company as one of the golf tees was used as a toilet area and as such is damaged and contaminated.”
Travellers left the site, on the edge of St Fittick’s Road and Greyhope Road, on Friday evening.
AN ABERDEEN charity is expected to be hit with a clean-up bill of as much £20,000 after rubbish was left at a city golf course.
Rubble, rubbish and human waste were found scattered in heaps in the grass after a group of 30 caravans left the Nigg Bay Golf Course site in Aberdeen on Friday.
Sport Aberdeen now faces having to fork out thousands of pounds to clear up the mess left behind at Nigg Bay Golf Club.
Outdoor services manager Nigel Spencer said the sports trust was counting the clean up cost
He added: “It will require the use of a specialist cleaning company as one of the golf tees was used as a toilet area and as such is damaged and contaminated.”
Travellers left the site, on the edge of St Fittick’s Road and Greyhope Road, on Friday evening.
Camping bylaw in the pipeline - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
A BYLAW to help clamp down on illicit encampments is currently on the cards.
Draft plans for the ruling went before councillors last April, detailing what could be banned under new powers.
Under the proposed bylaw, police and council officers would be able to dish out fines to anyone setting up shelter overnight in Hazlehead, Lochinch, Westburn, Duthie, Stewart, Seaton, Calder, Alan Douglas or Eric Hendrie parks.
Bay of Nigg, Kingswells Park and Ride, Riverview Drive, Carnie Woods, Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, Queen’s Links and Kings Links would also be included.
The ban would affect caravans, campervans, motorhomes, tents, shelters and people staying in vehicles overnight.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “We are consulting with stakeholders on the proposal for a bylaw.
“Stakeholders include community councils, the Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC), Police Scotland and the Procurator Fiscal.
“We will be reporting back to full council with feedback from the consultation as well as the proposed wording for a bylaw. Officers aim to report back to full council in May.”
It would be up to the Scottish Government to allow any proposed bylaw to be put in place.
A BYLAW to help clamp down on illicit encampments is currently on the cards.
Draft plans for the ruling went before councillors last April, detailing what could be banned under new powers.
Under the proposed bylaw, police and council officers would be able to dish out fines to anyone setting up shelter overnight in Hazlehead, Lochinch, Westburn, Duthie, Stewart, Seaton, Calder, Alan Douglas or Eric Hendrie parks.
Bay of Nigg, Kingswells Park and Ride, Riverview Drive, Carnie Woods, Aberdeen Exhibition Centre, Queen’s Links and Kings Links would also be included.
The ban would affect caravans, campervans, motorhomes, tents, shelters and people staying in vehicles overnight.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “We are consulting with stakeholders on the proposal for a bylaw.
“Stakeholders include community councils, the Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC), Police Scotland and the Procurator Fiscal.
“We will be reporting back to full council with feedback from the consultation as well as the proposed wording for a bylaw. Officers aim to report back to full council in May.”
It would be up to the Scottish Government to allow any proposed bylaw to be put in place.
Council bosses ask police to take action against Travellers - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
COUNCIL bosses today issued police chiefs with an ultimatum over illicit Traveller camps.
Aberdeen City Council has said Police Scotland must crack down on Travellers who set up unauthorised camps in the city.
And councillors have said that if there is no action they won’t sign off on a three-year plan for policing in Aberdeen.
The city’s police chief today defended the force, insisting officers did all they could within the law.
Finance convener Willie Young said: “We need a bylaw from the Scottish Government, but the police need to up the ante. This is ridiculous.
“If the Government don’t give us a bylaw, if the police don’t act, then this is going to be every week.
“There’s only a limited amount of things we can do. People think it’s the council’s fault. It’s not. We have limited powers. The police do not.”
Chief Supt Watson said: “I fully understand the complexity of this issue, which primarily sits with our valued partner Aberdeen City Council.
“Of course, if there is any evidence of criminality being committed by, or to, the Gypsy/Traveller community then can I reassure you that we will respond to any reports and take the appropriate action.”
COUNCIL bosses today issued police chiefs with an ultimatum over illicit Traveller camps.
Aberdeen City Council has said Police Scotland must crack down on Travellers who set up unauthorised camps in the city.
And councillors have said that if there is no action they won’t sign off on a three-year plan for policing in Aberdeen.
The city’s police chief today defended the force, insisting officers did all they could within the law.
Finance convener Willie Young said: “We need a bylaw from the Scottish Government, but the police need to up the ante. This is ridiculous.
“If the Government don’t give us a bylaw, if the police don’t act, then this is going to be every week.
“There’s only a limited amount of things we can do. People think it’s the council’s fault. It’s not. We have limited powers. The police do not.”
Chief Supt Watson said: “I fully understand the complexity of this issue, which primarily sits with our valued partner Aberdeen City Council.
“Of course, if there is any evidence of criminality being committed by, or to, the Gypsy/Traveller community then can I reassure you that we will respond to any reports and take the appropriate action.”
Proposed site for Flint Travellers 'is unacceptable' - Flintshire
From North Wales News
A PROPOSED Travellers’ site has been labelled “totally unacceptable”.
Residents, community leaders and business owners have raised concerns about proposals for six Traveller pitches being created in Flint – plans which have been recommended for approval by county planning bosses.
The application has been submitted for the pitches, along with utility rooms, on land at Huntley Yard on Huntley Lane, near Chester Road.
Alan Jones, whose business Jones Motor Services is directly in front of the site, said he is totally opposed to the proposed pitches.
“I have put a letter of objection in,” he said.
“My business is joining on to the site – I’m very much in the middle of it all.
“The site does not come under Flintshire’s Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and is not appropriate for residential use. The roadway to the site is a single track road leading to a bridge over a railway and is totally unsuitable and dangerous for anyone on foot as there is no footpath on either side of the road, which would present specific risk to any pedestrians.
“The site also does not have good access to the A548. The bridge is also owned by Welsh Water and at the present time Welsh Water has vehicles weighing tons using it on a daily basis to remove waste from its sewage plant.
“Also, a coach and service centre access the road with large vehicles on a daily basis from early morning until late evening. There would only be one access point and there is no water or sewage facilities and it is only half an acre away from the River Dee on flood tide.”
Flint county councillor Rita Johnson has also lodged objections to the plan, stating that access is inadequate and that there would be a negative environmental impact.
Four letters of objections have been received from the public.
A report, which will be discussed by members of Flintshire Council’s planning committee, said: “The proposed site could significantly assist in meeting the required need for additional accommodation.
“It is considered that the proposal is acceptable in terms of the principle of development in planning policy terms, the highway implications, the effects upon the character and appearance of the area and the effects upon the amenities of nearby residents.”
A PROPOSED Travellers’ site has been labelled “totally unacceptable”.
Residents, community leaders and business owners have raised concerns about proposals for six Traveller pitches being created in Flint – plans which have been recommended for approval by county planning bosses.
The application has been submitted for the pitches, along with utility rooms, on land at Huntley Yard on Huntley Lane, near Chester Road.
Alan Jones, whose business Jones Motor Services is directly in front of the site, said he is totally opposed to the proposed pitches.
“I have put a letter of objection in,” he said.
“My business is joining on to the site – I’m very much in the middle of it all.
“The site does not come under Flintshire’s Unitary Development Plan (UDP) and is not appropriate for residential use. The roadway to the site is a single track road leading to a bridge over a railway and is totally unsuitable and dangerous for anyone on foot as there is no footpath on either side of the road, which would present specific risk to any pedestrians.
“The site also does not have good access to the A548. The bridge is also owned by Welsh Water and at the present time Welsh Water has vehicles weighing tons using it on a daily basis to remove waste from its sewage plant.
“Also, a coach and service centre access the road with large vehicles on a daily basis from early morning until late evening. There would only be one access point and there is no water or sewage facilities and it is only half an acre away from the River Dee on flood tide.”
Flint county councillor Rita Johnson has also lodged objections to the plan, stating that access is inadequate and that there would be a negative environmental impact.
Four letters of objections have been received from the public.
A report, which will be discussed by members of Flintshire Council’s planning committee, said: “The proposed site could significantly assist in meeting the required need for additional accommodation.
“It is considered that the proposal is acceptable in terms of the principle of development in planning policy terms, the highway implications, the effects upon the character and appearance of the area and the effects upon the amenities of nearby residents.”
Attack on the rule of law - fighting back!
From the Travellers' Times
Further to the first blog on this subject concerning the Civil Legal Aid Regulations and the fact that they may prevent legal aid firms from being able to take on judicial review cases, Ed Milliband, the Leader of the Opposition has lodged a motion seeking to annul (i.e. overturn) the Regulations. See: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/1220
This will lead to a vital debate in the House of Commons. Please ask your MP to sign this motion and to take part in the debate. Below is a standard letter which you might like to use to e-mail to or write to your MP.
Any queries please contact CLP at office@communitylawpartnership.co.uk or phone us on 0121 685 8595.
--
Dear [name of your MP],
I am one of your constituents. I would like to bring to your attention this motion concerning legal aid and judicial review:
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/1220
These Regulations were laid before Parliament on 14 March 2014. They will cut legal aid for people seeking judicial review unless the High Court grants them permission. Although there will be some exceptions, lawyers will have to be prepared to do huge amounts of work for no pay at all. They may not be able to continue to do this. The Legal Aid Agency will retain a discretion to make payment in cases where the case settles after issue but before reaching the permission stage. Expand a bit on yourself e.g. I am a Gypsy, I am an Irish Traveller etc I am concerned about the effect these Regulations may have on disadvantaged Gypsies and Travellers e.g. those who have to resort to unauthorised encampments or developments.
These regulations renege on the Government’s assurance that it would keep legal aid available for urgent injunctions (such as emergency injunctions requiring local authorities not to evict Gypsies and Travellers where they are doing so unlawfully).
I believe this will have a very bad effect on access to justice and public interest cases as lawyers may be unable to risk not being paid for large amounts of work. Solicitors will have to be referring clients to their MP for assistance in this area as the risks to their business may be too great.
I am concerned that, due to being implemented by means of secondary legislation, these changes to legal aid in judicial review cases will not be subject to full scrutiny in Parliament. This is despite the fact that Parliament made specific exceptions to protect legal aid for judicial review in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2014 are due to be implemented on 22 April 2014.
An Early Day Motion has been laid asking for the Regulations to be annulled as set out in the link above. You can see that the Shadow Justice Secretary and Shadow Attorney General have already signed it. Please can you sign this and urge other colleagues to do the same. This is a matter crucial to the question of the rule of law. It is vital that these regulations are properly debated and are amended to ensure that the Government’s stated intentions, as contained in their response to the recent consultation Judicial review: proposal for further reform (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/judicial-review-proposals-for-further-reform-the-government-response ) are properly implemented. These regulations do not properly implement the proposals.
Thank you for considering this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Further to the first blog on this subject concerning the Civil Legal Aid Regulations and the fact that they may prevent legal aid firms from being able to take on judicial review cases, Ed Milliband, the Leader of the Opposition has lodged a motion seeking to annul (i.e. overturn) the Regulations. See: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/1220
This will lead to a vital debate in the House of Commons. Please ask your MP to sign this motion and to take part in the debate. Below is a standard letter which you might like to use to e-mail to or write to your MP.
Any queries please contact CLP at office@communitylawpartnership.co.uk or phone us on 0121 685 8595.
--
Dear [name of your MP],
I am one of your constituents. I would like to bring to your attention this motion concerning legal aid and judicial review:
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/1220
These Regulations were laid before Parliament on 14 March 2014. They will cut legal aid for people seeking judicial review unless the High Court grants them permission. Although there will be some exceptions, lawyers will have to be prepared to do huge amounts of work for no pay at all. They may not be able to continue to do this. The Legal Aid Agency will retain a discretion to make payment in cases where the case settles after issue but before reaching the permission stage. Expand a bit on yourself e.g. I am a Gypsy, I am an Irish Traveller etc I am concerned about the effect these Regulations may have on disadvantaged Gypsies and Travellers e.g. those who have to resort to unauthorised encampments or developments.
These regulations renege on the Government’s assurance that it would keep legal aid available for urgent injunctions (such as emergency injunctions requiring local authorities not to evict Gypsies and Travellers where they are doing so unlawfully).
I believe this will have a very bad effect on access to justice and public interest cases as lawyers may be unable to risk not being paid for large amounts of work. Solicitors will have to be referring clients to their MP for assistance in this area as the risks to their business may be too great.
I am concerned that, due to being implemented by means of secondary legislation, these changes to legal aid in judicial review cases will not be subject to full scrutiny in Parliament. This is despite the fact that Parliament made specific exceptions to protect legal aid for judicial review in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The Civil Legal Aid (Remuneration) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2014 are due to be implemented on 22 April 2014.
An Early Day Motion has been laid asking for the Regulations to be annulled as set out in the link above. You can see that the Shadow Justice Secretary and Shadow Attorney General have already signed it. Please can you sign this and urge other colleagues to do the same. This is a matter crucial to the question of the rule of law. It is vital that these regulations are properly debated and are amended to ensure that the Government’s stated intentions, as contained in their response to the recent consultation Judicial review: proposal for further reform (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/judicial-review-proposals-for-further-reform-the-government-response ) are properly implemented. These regulations do not properly implement the proposals.
Thank you for considering this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Facebook page created for Appleby Horse Fair - Cumbria
From the Westmorland Gazette
A DEDICATED Facebook page has been created for Appleby Horse Fair.
The fair begins in eight weeks and the page has been set up to provide the travelling community and local residents with information and updates.
It was started by the Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group (MASCG), chaired by Eden District Council with support from representatives from the Gypsy and Traveller communities, South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Constabulary, the RSPCA, Trading Standards and other agencies.
They work throughout the year with communities who are involved in the fair, addressing concerns and problems.
Robin Hooper, Chief Executive of Eden District Council and Chair of the MASCG said: “We hope by adding Facebook to our communication tools, we can reach even more of the 2,500 local residents in Appleby, the 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers who come to the fair and also the 30,000 visitors who all come and transform the town for the weekend in June.”
The link to the page is: https://www.facebook.com/ApplebyHorseFair.
A DEDICATED Facebook page has been created for Appleby Horse Fair.
The fair begins in eight weeks and the page has been set up to provide the travelling community and local residents with information and updates.
It was started by the Multi-Agency Strategic Co-ordinating Group (MASCG), chaired by Eden District Council with support from representatives from the Gypsy and Traveller communities, South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Constabulary, the RSPCA, Trading Standards and other agencies.
They work throughout the year with communities who are involved in the fair, addressing concerns and problems.
Robin Hooper, Chief Executive of Eden District Council and Chair of the MASCG said: “We hope by adding Facebook to our communication tools, we can reach even more of the 2,500 local residents in Appleby, the 10,000 Gypsies and Travellers who come to the fair and also the 30,000 visitors who all come and transform the town for the weekend in June.”
The link to the page is: https://www.facebook.com/ApplebyHorseFair.
Monday 7 April 2014
South Bucks District Council looking into additional provisions for Travellers - Buckinghamshire
From Bucks Free Press
ADDITIONAL provisions for Travellers are currently being looked into by South Bucks District Council.
The Council are currently developing a ‘Gypsies and Travellers Plan’ which will determine what additional provisions should be sought, to be more accommodating.
The plan is being developed in accordance with national policy on 'Planning Policy for Traveller Sites' and the Housing Act 2004.
The plan states that local authorities should be able to demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable sites to provide for the needs of Gypsies and Travellers.
The District Council is setting out to “provide an understanding of Gypsy and Traveller communities and the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people in the ten year period to 2023.”
SBDC are currently holding a consultation on these plans. You can have your say on the consultation by visiting:
www.southbucks.gov.uk
ADDITIONAL provisions for Travellers are currently being looked into by South Bucks District Council.
The Council are currently developing a ‘Gypsies and Travellers Plan’ which will determine what additional provisions should be sought, to be more accommodating.
The plan is being developed in accordance with national policy on 'Planning Policy for Traveller Sites' and the Housing Act 2004.
The plan states that local authorities should be able to demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable sites to provide for the needs of Gypsies and Travellers.
The District Council is setting out to “provide an understanding of Gypsy and Traveller communities and the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people in the ten year period to 2023.”
SBDC are currently holding a consultation on these plans. You can have your say on the consultation by visiting:
www.southbucks.gov.uk
Stop giving Travellers work, city council urges residents - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
Aberdeen residents have been urged to stop giving Travellers work as two large encampments pitched up within half a mile of each other.
More than 35 caravans and vehicles are parked at football pitches off Seaton Crescent, while another group has set up a short distance away at a cricket pitch between the golf driving range and the Linx Ice Arena.
It is understood that the field is used for youngsters’ football training in the Easter holidays – leaving the planned sessions in jeopardy.
Aberdeen residents have been urged to stop giving Travellers work as two large encampments pitched up within half a mile of each other.
More than 35 caravans and vehicles are parked at football pitches off Seaton Crescent, while another group has set up a short distance away at a cricket pitch between the golf driving range and the Linx Ice Arena.
It is understood that the field is used for youngsters’ football training in the Easter holidays – leaving the planned sessions in jeopardy.
Kids’ football games cancelled after Travellers camp on pitches in Aberdeen
From the Evening Post
A COMMUNITY football coach in Aberdeen today slammed the actions of Travellers, claiming they are making youngsters’ lives a “misery”.
About 25 caravans are occupying the Aulton seven-a-side football pitches in Seaton, Aberdeen.
Their arrival has sparked outrage among football teams in Aberdeen after their games were cancelled at the weekend.
One boss claimed about 400 youngsters couldn’t participate in matches scheduled for the weekend.
Daniel Middler, 30, coach of Lewis United Under-12s who play their home games at Aulton, today said the actions of the group were “disgraceful”.
The group is currently occupying 10 football pitches, next to Seaton Primary School in Aberdeen.
A COMMUNITY football coach in Aberdeen today slammed the actions of Travellers, claiming they are making youngsters’ lives a “misery”.
About 25 caravans are occupying the Aulton seven-a-side football pitches in Seaton, Aberdeen.
Their arrival has sparked outrage among football teams in Aberdeen after their games were cancelled at the weekend.
One boss claimed about 400 youngsters couldn’t participate in matches scheduled for the weekend.
Daniel Middler, 30, coach of Lewis United Under-12s who play their home games at Aulton, today said the actions of the group were “disgraceful”.
The group is currently occupying 10 football pitches, next to Seaton Primary School in Aberdeen.
Day of celebration for Glasgow's Roma community
From the Evening Times
Friends of Romano Lav, a group for Roma people, held a march and cultural activities in Govanhill to celebrate Roma culture and people in Scotland. Around 300 people turned out to Govanhill Park to walk through the community to Albert Road.
And last night the celebrations continued with a party in Victoria Halls on Coplaw Street, with traditional food and music.
Friends of Romano Lav Manager Marcela Adamova said: "Roma used to hide their ethnicity and culture in the public because of the racism and discrimination against them that has lasted for centuries.
"So let's come together and support Roma people in Glasgow to speak up, show their Roma pride and make sure they know they are welcome in Scotland.
"Friends of Romano Lav invite all relevant parties and public authorities to create the social, political and legal climate where the rights and the culture of Roma are respected and celebrated at all times."
The event is designed to celebrate the diversity of the Roma culture, Roma language and common history of Roma people.
Around 3000 Roma people currently live in Govanhill.
Jason Bergen, of magazine Migrant Voice, added: "Migrant Voice was proud to support the Roma Day celebration and march organised by Romano Lav and others in Govanhill.
"It was good to hear some of the history and challenges of Europe's largest ethnic minority from Roma from Central Europe and Scottish gypsy travellers too.
"And great to see a few hundred people, Scots and migrants, marching together with music, flowers and Roma flags in solidarity on a dreich day."
Friends of Romano Lav, a group for Roma people, held a march and cultural activities in Govanhill to celebrate Roma culture and people in Scotland. Around 300 people turned out to Govanhill Park to walk through the community to Albert Road.
And last night the celebrations continued with a party in Victoria Halls on Coplaw Street, with traditional food and music.
Friends of Romano Lav Manager Marcela Adamova said: "Roma used to hide their ethnicity and culture in the public because of the racism and discrimination against them that has lasted for centuries.
"So let's come together and support Roma people in Glasgow to speak up, show their Roma pride and make sure they know they are welcome in Scotland.
"Friends of Romano Lav invite all relevant parties and public authorities to create the social, political and legal climate where the rights and the culture of Roma are respected and celebrated at all times."
The event is designed to celebrate the diversity of the Roma culture, Roma language and common history of Roma people.
Around 3000 Roma people currently live in Govanhill.
Jason Bergen, of magazine Migrant Voice, added: "Migrant Voice was proud to support the Roma Day celebration and march organised by Romano Lav and others in Govanhill.
"It was good to hear some of the history and challenges of Europe's largest ethnic minority from Roma from Central Europe and Scottish gypsy travellers too.
"And great to see a few hundred people, Scots and migrants, marching together with music, flowers and Roma flags in solidarity on a dreich day."
Sunday 6 April 2014
Anger as Gypsy convoy returns to land near Apedale Community Country Park - Staffordshire
From the Sentinel
A CONVOY of Gypsy caravans has set up camp less than a mile away from a tourist attraction they were forced to move away from just two weeks ago.
Residents living near Apedale Community Country Park in Holditch, Chesterton, have had to repeatedly deal with the unwelcome visitors pitching up in the area over the years.
In February The Sentinel reported how more than 30 Travellers' caravans arrived near the entrance within the park and refused to budge.
Now, just weeks after court action was taken to force the Travellers to move on, caravans have returned to a piece of land just metres from the entrance to the Loomer Road attraction.
Now council chiefs are taking legal action yet again to move the convoy along.
Holditch councillor Michael Clarke said: "The Travellers arrived five days ago and over the last few days more and more turned up.
"It's getting beyond a joke. It's costing the authority thousands of pounds clearing up after them and then they return a few weeks later. We have been dealing with this for the past four years.
"Apedale Country Park is a bit of a gem and people can't get in.
"There is a cafe trying to survive yet nobody can get in there because the gates have been closed for most of the week.
"It is happening every month, it's constant and it seems to be getting worse. The people in Holditch are sick to the back teeth of it."
The Travellers, who have already started to leave rubbish around the site, are using the football pitch to graze their horses.
Mr Clarke added: "They problem is that they leave such a mess. They leave rubbish, gas canisters and even faeces.
"I have got every sympathy for people travelling who want to find work but when they cause so many problems and cost the taxpayer so much money something has to be done to stop them. Its worrying to think of how much is paid out in the whole of Staffordshire."
A spokesman for the country park said: "The Travellers are not currently on our land. They were a few weeks ago, they left a lot of rubbish and we had to have a big clean up.
"We have shut the gate at the entrance of Loomer Road to vehicles but pedestrians can still get onto the site and cars can use other entrances such as Blackbank Road." Jane Malkin, aged 31, of Wolstanton Road, Chesterton said: "I think it is disgusting that they can come to such a beautiful place and show no respect.
"It was bad enough last time but for them to return and to stop so close so soon after being forced off is ridiculous."
A Staffordshire County Council spokesman said: "A court hearing will take place on Thursday at Stoke-on-Trent County Court where we will apply for a warrant to move them on."
A CONVOY of Gypsy caravans has set up camp less than a mile away from a tourist attraction they were forced to move away from just two weeks ago.
Residents living near Apedale Community Country Park in Holditch, Chesterton, have had to repeatedly deal with the unwelcome visitors pitching up in the area over the years.
In February The Sentinel reported how more than 30 Travellers' caravans arrived near the entrance within the park and refused to budge.
Now, just weeks after court action was taken to force the Travellers to move on, caravans have returned to a piece of land just metres from the entrance to the Loomer Road attraction.
Now council chiefs are taking legal action yet again to move the convoy along.
Holditch councillor Michael Clarke said: "The Travellers arrived five days ago and over the last few days more and more turned up.
"It's getting beyond a joke. It's costing the authority thousands of pounds clearing up after them and then they return a few weeks later. We have been dealing with this for the past four years.
"Apedale Country Park is a bit of a gem and people can't get in.
"There is a cafe trying to survive yet nobody can get in there because the gates have been closed for most of the week.
"It is happening every month, it's constant and it seems to be getting worse. The people in Holditch are sick to the back teeth of it."
The Travellers, who have already started to leave rubbish around the site, are using the football pitch to graze their horses.
Mr Clarke added: "They problem is that they leave such a mess. They leave rubbish, gas canisters and even faeces.
"I have got every sympathy for people travelling who want to find work but when they cause so many problems and cost the taxpayer so much money something has to be done to stop them. Its worrying to think of how much is paid out in the whole of Staffordshire."
A spokesman for the country park said: "The Travellers are not currently on our land. They were a few weeks ago, they left a lot of rubbish and we had to have a big clean up.
"We have shut the gate at the entrance of Loomer Road to vehicles but pedestrians can still get onto the site and cars can use other entrances such as Blackbank Road." Jane Malkin, aged 31, of Wolstanton Road, Chesterton said: "I think it is disgusting that they can come to such a beautiful place and show no respect.
"It was bad enough last time but for them to return and to stop so close so soon after being forced off is ridiculous."
A Staffordshire County Council spokesman said: "A court hearing will take place on Thursday at Stoke-on-Trent County Court where we will apply for a warrant to move them on."
Concerns raised as Travellers arrive on Burnham's seafront lawns - Somerset
From burnham-onsea.com
Residents have expressed concern after the arrival of a group of Travellers on Burnham's seafront lawns this weekend.
Sedgemoor District Council and Burnham Police are 'monitoring the situation' after several caravans pitched up on the South Esplanade lawns near the Yacht Club.
They arrived late on Saturday afternoon and three caravans were still in place on the grass today, as pictured here.
Several residents have contacted the council to seek their removal.
One resident, Paul Hambleton, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We are concerned by the arrival of the caravans and have raised it with the council."
"It's not good for tourism when visitors and walkers see them parked on our seafront."
Residents have expressed concern after the arrival of a group of Travellers on Burnham's seafront lawns this weekend.
Sedgemoor District Council and Burnham Police are 'monitoring the situation' after several caravans pitched up on the South Esplanade lawns near the Yacht Club.
They arrived late on Saturday afternoon and three caravans were still in place on the grass today, as pictured here.
Several residents have contacted the council to seek their removal.
One resident, Paul Hambleton, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We are concerned by the arrival of the caravans and have raised it with the council."
"It's not good for tourism when visitors and walkers see them parked on our seafront."
Saturday 5 April 2014
Travellers slam other group over mess at Aberdeen beauty spot - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
TRAVELLERS today blasted mountains of rubble and mess left at an Aberdeen beauty spot.
Fields by Nigg Bay Golf Club – running along St Fittick’s Road and Greyhope Road in Aberdeen – were left littered with mounds of tarmac, household waste and shrubbery.
The clean-up is expected to need several Aberdeen City Council lorries and skips to ferry the rubble and litter away from the field.
A pitch of about 30 caravans had been stopping in the area for about a week before the mounds of rubbish were reported.
Shocked Aberdeen locals claimed it was the worst they had ever seen and one group of Travellers hit out at those who were blackening their name.
TRAVELLERS today blasted mountains of rubble and mess left at an Aberdeen beauty spot.
Fields by Nigg Bay Golf Club – running along St Fittick’s Road and Greyhope Road in Aberdeen – were left littered with mounds of tarmac, household waste and shrubbery.
The clean-up is expected to need several Aberdeen City Council lorries and skips to ferry the rubble and litter away from the field.
A pitch of about 30 caravans had been stopping in the area for about a week before the mounds of rubbish were reported.
Shocked Aberdeen locals claimed it was the worst they had ever seen and one group of Travellers hit out at those who were blackening their name.
Dad-of-six would rather be jailed than leave Navestock Traveller site - Essex
From the Brentwood Gazette
A TRAVELLER says he fears losing his home more than prison, as the authorities move to evict his family from their Navestock settlement.
In a fight that has reached Whitehall, father-of-six Bill Thursting, 47, says he would feel like a 'caged bird' and could lose his livelihood if, as planned, his family is moved into temporary housing.
"If they said to me 'move off or go to prison for six months' they'd have to take me to prison," he said.
"If I had the option to go away for three months and come out and I'm still there, I'm happy. I just want them to leave me alone.
"I've got nowhere to go. If they're offering me temporary housing, that's no use."
The dispute has rumbled on for more than a decade, after the former owner of the land built stables on the site, on which Brentwood Borough Council has issued an enforcement notice.
Things came to a head when he applied for permission to legitimise the current structures in August last year.
But in September, planning minister Nick Boles overturned the planning inspector's decision to allow approval of the structures.
Traveller settlements are an emotive issue in the rural area, which has many large pitches.
Last year, the Gazette revealed that Navestock Parish Council spent around £100,000 to purchase a field in Navestock Side from the church to prevent Travellers moving onto the site.
Neighbour Navestock parish councillor David Williams says he gets on well with Mr Thursting but welcomes the new tough stance, which is often lacking from the council.
He said: "He's saying he's a Traveller – he's not a Traveller, he wants to set up home there.
"Travellers are marvellous people and they used to travel around here but now it's an excuse to try and get a property.
"If you have that rule to allow people to build anywhere you might as well throw planning out of the window.
"No one's picking on these people but we do have a problem in Navestock with so-called Travellers."
At a Strategy and Policy Board meeting on March 19, acting head of planning Tony Pierce admitted: "In this case it is possible that work would have to be done with adjoining housing authorities as well."
Mr Thursting says his family went on the road after his grandfather's Blackmore home was subject to a compulsory purchase by the council to make way for new bungalows.
Having lived in the borough since birth, he says the thought of moving his family elsewhere does not appeal to him and that without plenty of space he would not be able to park his caged van he uses for work.
"It's no good to me, it's got to be in Brentwood. They can't park me with some other council," he said.
"They're going to move me into the first place they find.
"Imagine my Ford Transit in a housing estate, I couldn't afford to even park it."
The council's draft Local Development Plan 2015-30 has outlined plans to approve 20 pitches (around 40 caravans) for approval – nine in Navestock.
Last October, the Brentwood Gypsy Support Group responded to the plans recommending "other alternatives should also be included in the site allocation process, such as smaller sites to accommodate extended families."
Brentwood Borough Council's chairman of the Strategy and Policy Board, Councillor Louise McKinlay, said: "Council officers have sought a meeting with the site owner and the occupants as to how we can work with them to achieve the return of the site to an appropriate green belt use.
"There is a long planning enforcement history to the plot and the council will use its powers for removal, if necessary.
"The council continues with action against owners and occupants of other unauthorised Traveller sites."
Mr Thursting met with planning officials at the Town Hall on Thursday to discuss the future of the site.
Behind the story
PLANNING minister Nick Boles moved to overrule two decisions to grant temporary planning permission for Traveller sites in Navestock last September.
Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles' junior minister stepped in to overturn Brentwood Borough Council planning inspectors' decisions on Mr Thursting's land, Hunters Green, and at Lizvale Farm in Goatswood Lane.
Following an appeal, inspector David Smith had said permission should be granted for three years to accommodate Mr Thursting, his wife and six children aged two to nine, including his autistic four-year-old son.
Boles acknowledged the likelihood of the "family losing their home" and he insisted "the harm to the green belt and other harm is such that dismissal of the appeal is a necessary and proportionate response."
The decision to move on families at Lizvale Farm came after the shooting of British Olympic boxing hopeful Martin Ward.
The shooting led to an emergency meeting held in the village, as settled residents vented their frustrations at the number of pitches in the area.
Previously, inspector Bridget Campbell recommended the enforcement notices on the site should be quashed and a five-year temporary planning permission granted. The council's "failure to demonstrate an up-to-date five-year supply of deliverable sites" was a "significant" factor, she said.
Despite accepting "substantial and pressing need" for more Gypsy pitches in Brentwood, Boles has decided the families – including "at least 23 children, toddlers and babies" – should be evicted.
Boles's actions brought concern from the former Planning Inspectorate deputy chief executive Leonora Rozee, who said ministers were interpreting planning laws differently to inspectors with the bar set "very high" for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
A TRAVELLER says he fears losing his home more than prison, as the authorities move to evict his family from their Navestock settlement.
In a fight that has reached Whitehall, father-of-six Bill Thursting, 47, says he would feel like a 'caged bird' and could lose his livelihood if, as planned, his family is moved into temporary housing.
"If they said to me 'move off or go to prison for six months' they'd have to take me to prison," he said.
"If I had the option to go away for three months and come out and I'm still there, I'm happy. I just want them to leave me alone.
"I've got nowhere to go. If they're offering me temporary housing, that's no use."
The dispute has rumbled on for more than a decade, after the former owner of the land built stables on the site, on which Brentwood Borough Council has issued an enforcement notice.
Things came to a head when he applied for permission to legitimise the current structures in August last year.
But in September, planning minister Nick Boles overturned the planning inspector's decision to allow approval of the structures.
Traveller settlements are an emotive issue in the rural area, which has many large pitches.
Last year, the Gazette revealed that Navestock Parish Council spent around £100,000 to purchase a field in Navestock Side from the church to prevent Travellers moving onto the site.
Neighbour Navestock parish councillor David Williams says he gets on well with Mr Thursting but welcomes the new tough stance, which is often lacking from the council.
He said: "He's saying he's a Traveller – he's not a Traveller, he wants to set up home there.
"Travellers are marvellous people and they used to travel around here but now it's an excuse to try and get a property.
"If you have that rule to allow people to build anywhere you might as well throw planning out of the window.
"No one's picking on these people but we do have a problem in Navestock with so-called Travellers."
At a Strategy and Policy Board meeting on March 19, acting head of planning Tony Pierce admitted: "In this case it is possible that work would have to be done with adjoining housing authorities as well."
Mr Thursting says his family went on the road after his grandfather's Blackmore home was subject to a compulsory purchase by the council to make way for new bungalows.
Having lived in the borough since birth, he says the thought of moving his family elsewhere does not appeal to him and that without plenty of space he would not be able to park his caged van he uses for work.
"It's no good to me, it's got to be in Brentwood. They can't park me with some other council," he said.
"They're going to move me into the first place they find.
"Imagine my Ford Transit in a housing estate, I couldn't afford to even park it."
The council's draft Local Development Plan 2015-30 has outlined plans to approve 20 pitches (around 40 caravans) for approval – nine in Navestock.
Last October, the Brentwood Gypsy Support Group responded to the plans recommending "other alternatives should also be included in the site allocation process, such as smaller sites to accommodate extended families."
Brentwood Borough Council's chairman of the Strategy and Policy Board, Councillor Louise McKinlay, said: "Council officers have sought a meeting with the site owner and the occupants as to how we can work with them to achieve the return of the site to an appropriate green belt use.
"There is a long planning enforcement history to the plot and the council will use its powers for removal, if necessary.
"The council continues with action against owners and occupants of other unauthorised Traveller sites."
Mr Thursting met with planning officials at the Town Hall on Thursday to discuss the future of the site.
Behind the story
PLANNING minister Nick Boles moved to overrule two decisions to grant temporary planning permission for Traveller sites in Navestock last September.
Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles' junior minister stepped in to overturn Brentwood Borough Council planning inspectors' decisions on Mr Thursting's land, Hunters Green, and at Lizvale Farm in Goatswood Lane.
Following an appeal, inspector David Smith had said permission should be granted for three years to accommodate Mr Thursting, his wife and six children aged two to nine, including his autistic four-year-old son.
Boles acknowledged the likelihood of the "family losing their home" and he insisted "the harm to the green belt and other harm is such that dismissal of the appeal is a necessary and proportionate response."
The decision to move on families at Lizvale Farm came after the shooting of British Olympic boxing hopeful Martin Ward.
The shooting led to an emergency meeting held in the village, as settled residents vented their frustrations at the number of pitches in the area.
Previously, inspector Bridget Campbell recommended the enforcement notices on the site should be quashed and a five-year temporary planning permission granted. The council's "failure to demonstrate an up-to-date five-year supply of deliverable sites" was a "significant" factor, she said.
Despite accepting "substantial and pressing need" for more Gypsy pitches in Brentwood, Boles has decided the families – including "at least 23 children, toddlers and babies" – should be evicted.
Boles's actions brought concern from the former Planning Inspectorate deputy chief executive Leonora Rozee, who said ministers were interpreting planning laws differently to inspectors with the bar set "very high" for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
Worries over state of Aberdeen cricket pitch after Travellers set up camp - Aberdeenshire
From the Evening Express
CONCERNS have been raised over the condition of an Aberdeen cricket pitch after Travellers moved in just weeks before the start of the season.
An illicit encampment has sprung up near Aberdeen’s Beach Boulevard.
The land is due to come back into use in just three weeks as local league fixtures start up again on April 26.
Aberdeenshire Cricket Association secretary David Jones said: “This has been a problem over the last couple of seasons with people arriving without a lot of notice, and we have to wait for the council to get an eviction order to have them removed.”
CONCERNS have been raised over the condition of an Aberdeen cricket pitch after Travellers moved in just weeks before the start of the season.
An illicit encampment has sprung up near Aberdeen’s Beach Boulevard.
The land is due to come back into use in just three weeks as local league fixtures start up again on April 26.
Aberdeenshire Cricket Association secretary David Jones said: “This has been a problem over the last couple of seasons with people arriving without a lot of notice, and we have to wait for the council to get an eviction order to have them removed.”
Friday 4 April 2014
Family picnic area dogged by rumours of potential Gypsy camp - Lincolnshire
From the Boston Standard
Residents who fought to stop people using a popular picnic area as a sexual hangout now face a battle to prevent it becoming a potential Gypsy site.
Stickney Picnic Area is a large area of grass, trees and wildlife, popular with families, dog walkers and visitors heading for the coast.
But now it has been suggested as a potential site for a Gypsy transit camp at a meeting of a neighbouring parish council.
“It’s a vital amenity for a number of villages in the area and I will fight this tooth and nail if they even think about using Stickney for the Traveller site,” said county and district councillor Victoria Ayling. “I’m absolutely and totally against it. It’s ridiculous we have got to provide a site like this inthe first place.”
The suggestion, made by members of the public, was relayed at a West Keal Parish Council meeting by a district councillor.
Local authorities are required to find Gypsy transit sites as part of the Government’s policy on Travellers.
There will be three transit sites, one in Mablethorpe, one in Skegness and one on the A16 between Boston and Spilsby – along with a permanent site and 20 stopping points in the county.
Villagers are concerned sites in Stickney could now be highlighted for a potential Gypsy transit camp which would see Travellers living there for up to 28 days at a time.
Over the years the picnic area has been plagued with doggers - people meeting for sex.
Ten years’ ago the Standard ran a campaign for picnickers to claim back the site. Along with the work of the district council, police and determined locals - the problem was greatly reduced.
Resident and former parish councillor Brian Wood said: “A few years ago we worked with the council’s anti-social behaviour officer and a number of ASBO letters were sent to doggers. It virtually cut the whole thing out altogether. We do still get the odd re-appearance of them but it’s nothing like it used to be.”
Mr Woods said he is strongly against the being considered for the Gypsy camp. “It is used by families with children for days out and it’s the only place for miles with public toilets. Plus it would have a detrimental affect on wildlife there - with weasels, stoats and owls among other animals living there. There’s also two rare species of orchid. It’s really a rather special place and it would seem an awful pity if people were to lose all this.”
He added: “As soon as we start to object, some people call us names like ‘nimby’ or ‘racist’, but it’s not about that. All we are trying to do is protect our way of life.”
Some residents have also pointed to the fact that the area is prone to surface flooding.
As reported in October, other potential areas suggested for the transit site included Freiston, Stickford and East Keal.
An ELDC spokesman said they have yet to identify areas for the required Traveller sites but will consult the public before any decision is made.
Residents who fought to stop people using a popular picnic area as a sexual hangout now face a battle to prevent it becoming a potential Gypsy site.
Stickney Picnic Area is a large area of grass, trees and wildlife, popular with families, dog walkers and visitors heading for the coast.
But now it has been suggested as a potential site for a Gypsy transit camp at a meeting of a neighbouring parish council.
“It’s a vital amenity for a number of villages in the area and I will fight this tooth and nail if they even think about using Stickney for the Traveller site,” said county and district councillor Victoria Ayling. “I’m absolutely and totally against it. It’s ridiculous we have got to provide a site like this inthe first place.”
The suggestion, made by members of the public, was relayed at a West Keal Parish Council meeting by a district councillor.
Local authorities are required to find Gypsy transit sites as part of the Government’s policy on Travellers.
There will be three transit sites, one in Mablethorpe, one in Skegness and one on the A16 between Boston and Spilsby – along with a permanent site and 20 stopping points in the county.
Villagers are concerned sites in Stickney could now be highlighted for a potential Gypsy transit camp which would see Travellers living there for up to 28 days at a time.
Over the years the picnic area has been plagued with doggers - people meeting for sex.
Ten years’ ago the Standard ran a campaign for picnickers to claim back the site. Along with the work of the district council, police and determined locals - the problem was greatly reduced.
Resident and former parish councillor Brian Wood said: “A few years ago we worked with the council’s anti-social behaviour officer and a number of ASBO letters were sent to doggers. It virtually cut the whole thing out altogether. We do still get the odd re-appearance of them but it’s nothing like it used to be.”
Mr Woods said he is strongly against the being considered for the Gypsy camp. “It is used by families with children for days out and it’s the only place for miles with public toilets. Plus it would have a detrimental affect on wildlife there - with weasels, stoats and owls among other animals living there. There’s also two rare species of orchid. It’s really a rather special place and it would seem an awful pity if people were to lose all this.”
He added: “As soon as we start to object, some people call us names like ‘nimby’ or ‘racist’, but it’s not about that. All we are trying to do is protect our way of life.”
Some residents have also pointed to the fact that the area is prone to surface flooding.
As reported in October, other potential areas suggested for the transit site included Freiston, Stickford and East Keal.
An ELDC spokesman said they have yet to identify areas for the required Traveller sites but will consult the public before any decision is made.
Council to seek court order for repossession of Earl Road - Cheshire
From wilmslow.co.uk
Travellers have once again set up camp on Earl Road in Handforth.
They arrived on the Council owned land near Handforth Dean on Friday, 28th March, and six caravans have been parked at the end of the road since.
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "A group of Travellers, consisting of six caravans and vehicles, is currently based on Earl Road, Handforth. They arrived last Friday.
"Council officers have visited the location and we are now moving forward with the legal process to secure possession of the site. As they have not yet left the site, we will be seeking a court order to secure repossession."
Travellers have once again set up camp on Earl Road in Handforth.
They arrived on the Council owned land near Handforth Dean on Friday, 28th March, and six caravans have been parked at the end of the road since.
A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "A group of Travellers, consisting of six caravans and vehicles, is currently based on Earl Road, Handforth. They arrived last Friday.
"Council officers have visited the location and we are now moving forward with the legal process to secure possession of the site. As they have not yet left the site, we will be seeking a court order to secure repossession."
Newport Gyspy site deal blocked - council
From the South Wales Argus
THE Welsh Government is not willing to hand over a site in the west of Newport to be used as a transit Gypsy and Traveller site.
That’s according to a document submitted to the planning inspector by Newport council, which suggests compulsory purchasing of the site at Celtic Way, Coedkernew, could be an option.
Newport council has set aside £1.3 million from its budget to fund Gypsy and Traveller site developments in the city, should Welsh Government funding not cover them.
The inspector is set to consider the inclusion in the local development plan (LDP) of a residential site at Hartridge Farm Road, a transit site at Celtic Way and a back-up site at Ringland Allotments at a hearing on Tuesday.
According to the document, the proposed transit site at Celtic Way is on land owned by the Welsh Government.
“Discussion with regard to transferring the site to Newport City Council has taken place, however at present the Welsh Government land division has indicated that it is not a willing landowner,” the document reads.
“The option of compulsory purchase could be explored.”
Officers of the Welsh Government land division have suggested that crown land cannot be subject to a compulsory purchase order, the document reads.
It would be up to the Assembly, rather than the Welsh Government, to designate it as such.
The submission adds that if Celtic Way can’t be developed then the back-up Ringland Allotment sites would be used as a transit site.
The Welsh Government had previously objected to the Celtic Way proposal in the council’s LDP, saying it would result in the loss of valuable employment land.
Newport council had said that the proposal is intended to provide an official, managed and controlled transit site.
The authority also told the planning inspector that it has set aside funding in its capital budget for the next four years should Welsh Government grants not be sufficient to build the site.
A capital budget document from February shows the authority has earmarked £1.3 million to be spent in 2014/15.
Under the current timetable, the LDP is not expected to be adopted until December.
In a submission to the inspector, the council states that it intends to seek Welsh Government grant funding for delivering the sites, and that it had been confirmed that up to £1.5 million per site can be awarded.
However, the Welsh Government confirmed to the Argus that there is only £1.5 million in its Gypsy and Traveller site budget available in 2014/15 for the whole of Wales.
According to the document to the inspector, the existing use of the road safety centre site, where the residential site is planned with 43 pitches, would have to cease.
The authority is obliged under the Housing Act to identify and address the need in its area for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
THE Welsh Government is not willing to hand over a site in the west of Newport to be used as a transit Gypsy and Traveller site.
That’s according to a document submitted to the planning inspector by Newport council, which suggests compulsory purchasing of the site at Celtic Way, Coedkernew, could be an option.
Newport council has set aside £1.3 million from its budget to fund Gypsy and Traveller site developments in the city, should Welsh Government funding not cover them.
The inspector is set to consider the inclusion in the local development plan (LDP) of a residential site at Hartridge Farm Road, a transit site at Celtic Way and a back-up site at Ringland Allotments at a hearing on Tuesday.
According to the document, the proposed transit site at Celtic Way is on land owned by the Welsh Government.
“Discussion with regard to transferring the site to Newport City Council has taken place, however at present the Welsh Government land division has indicated that it is not a willing landowner,” the document reads.
“The option of compulsory purchase could be explored.”
Officers of the Welsh Government land division have suggested that crown land cannot be subject to a compulsory purchase order, the document reads.
It would be up to the Assembly, rather than the Welsh Government, to designate it as such.
The submission adds that if Celtic Way can’t be developed then the back-up Ringland Allotment sites would be used as a transit site.
The Welsh Government had previously objected to the Celtic Way proposal in the council’s LDP, saying it would result in the loss of valuable employment land.
Newport council had said that the proposal is intended to provide an official, managed and controlled transit site.
The authority also told the planning inspector that it has set aside funding in its capital budget for the next four years should Welsh Government grants not be sufficient to build the site.
A capital budget document from February shows the authority has earmarked £1.3 million to be spent in 2014/15.
Under the current timetable, the LDP is not expected to be adopted until December.
In a submission to the inspector, the council states that it intends to seek Welsh Government grant funding for delivering the sites, and that it had been confirmed that up to £1.5 million per site can be awarded.
However, the Welsh Government confirmed to the Argus that there is only £1.5 million in its Gypsy and Traveller site budget available in 2014/15 for the whole of Wales.
According to the document to the inspector, the existing use of the road safety centre site, where the residential site is planned with 43 pitches, would have to cease.
The authority is obliged under the Housing Act to identify and address the need in its area for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
Residents’ concern over Gyspy site near Wimpole Hall estate - Cambridgeshire
From the Royston Crow
Villagers have raised concerns at a council meeting to discuss plans for a Gyspy caravan site near the entrance to a stately home.
The owner of the land, on Cambridge Road, Wimpole, Ricky Crotty, has put in a change of use application to build a Gyspy site which would house two caravans and an amenities building for his family. The site is a former builders and engineering yard.
Mr Crotty, a boxer, has already moved his family on to the site, and is applying for permission retrospectively.
But 19 residents of the hamlet attended a meeting of Wimpole Parish Council on Monday evening to raise concerns about the location, and it’s proximity to the National Trust-owned Wimpole Hall estate.
Cllr Aidan Van de Weyer, Wimpole’s district councillor, was present at the meeting, along with county councillor Sebstian Kindersley and a planning officer from South Cambs District Council.
He said: “Residents expressed their concerns about the impact this development would have on the surrounding area. This site is in open countryside not far from the South Avenue of Wimpole Hall. This sort of development would change the character of this sensitive location.
“It is also a considerable distance from most services, like shops, schools and the doctors’ surgery. This goes against government guidance on where Gyspy sites should be allowed and against the principles of sustainability that underpin the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan, which is not far from being adopted.”
Wimpole Parish Council will hold a further meeting on April 15 to decide on its response to the application.
Cllr Van de Weyer added: “These concerns have to be weighed against the huge pressure on the provision of accommodation for Gyspies and travellers in this area.
“Gipsies and travellers can have particular needs, and this has rightly led to some specific planning guidance for people who lead a nomadic life. It has become almost impossible to travel in the traditional manner without a network of authorised sites.”
In their planning application, consultants Phillip Brown Associates, acting on behalf of Mr Crotty state: “The site would provide a settled base from which the applicant and his partner can access health services, earn a living, and reduce their need for travel. The provision of a lawful caravan site would allow for peaceful integration with the settled community.”
The application is likely to be discussed by South Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning committee when it meets in May.
Villagers have raised concerns at a council meeting to discuss plans for a Gyspy caravan site near the entrance to a stately home.
The owner of the land, on Cambridge Road, Wimpole, Ricky Crotty, has put in a change of use application to build a Gyspy site which would house two caravans and an amenities building for his family. The site is a former builders and engineering yard.
Mr Crotty, a boxer, has already moved his family on to the site, and is applying for permission retrospectively.
But 19 residents of the hamlet attended a meeting of Wimpole Parish Council on Monday evening to raise concerns about the location, and it’s proximity to the National Trust-owned Wimpole Hall estate.
Cllr Aidan Van de Weyer, Wimpole’s district councillor, was present at the meeting, along with county councillor Sebstian Kindersley and a planning officer from South Cambs District Council.
He said: “Residents expressed their concerns about the impact this development would have on the surrounding area. This site is in open countryside not far from the South Avenue of Wimpole Hall. This sort of development would change the character of this sensitive location.
“It is also a considerable distance from most services, like shops, schools and the doctors’ surgery. This goes against government guidance on where Gyspy sites should be allowed and against the principles of sustainability that underpin the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan, which is not far from being adopted.”
Wimpole Parish Council will hold a further meeting on April 15 to decide on its response to the application.
Cllr Van de Weyer added: “These concerns have to be weighed against the huge pressure on the provision of accommodation for Gyspies and travellers in this area.
“Gipsies and travellers can have particular needs, and this has rightly led to some specific planning guidance for people who lead a nomadic life. It has become almost impossible to travel in the traditional manner without a network of authorised sites.”
In their planning application, consultants Phillip Brown Associates, acting on behalf of Mr Crotty state: “The site would provide a settled base from which the applicant and his partner can access health services, earn a living, and reduce their need for travel. The provision of a lawful caravan site would allow for peaceful integration with the settled community.”
The application is likely to be discussed by South Cambridgeshire District Council’s planning committee when it meets in May.
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