Gypsies

More Gypsy and Traveller Sites Required

Posted by Andrew Wallis on 8:11 Thursday, January 12, 2012
Posted in: Gypsies. 14 comments

Cornwall Council has been awarded £1.24m by the Housing and Communities Agency (HCA) to provide further Gypsy and Traveller sites in Cornwall. Under the Government guidelines Cornwall Council needs to provide an extra 75 residential and 40 transitional sites for the travelling community. Click HERE for the definition of a Gypsy or Traveller.

No new sites have yet (as far as I am aware) been identified, but my understanding the plan could be to legalize some of the current un-authorised sites, or allow other smaller sites of 5-10 pitches to be built. Currently Cornwall Council via the housing department manages three residential Gypsy sites in Redruth, Camborne and Liskeard.

Radio Cornwall did a piece on this subject a few days ago, and from the responses during the call in it seems most were in support of more sites being provided. But is this representative of the population, or do the silent majority have a different view? It could be the public has really changed its attitude on Gypsy and Traveller sites, but I fear it is more of the case of ‘yes let’s have more, as long as it is not in my backyard’.

For instance, six years ago in 2006, there was an idea to place a gypsy site in Leedstown, near Helston. Three hundred residents filled a church hall to overflowing to protest at a feared council proposal to create a camp for travellers. So many converged on the Methodist church schoolroom that a second meeting had to be held for those who could not squeeze in for the first one. The proposals for a gypsy site never went ahead.

I think the key to this issue is making sure any proposed site has the local community supporting it in the first place. What happens if a local community is against the plans; how much power will local people have to veto the creation of these sites in their areas, as the Council is planning most sites around Council owned land. Would this mean Cornwall Council face months of angry residents’ meetings to keep these sites away from their homes, schools and communities in general.

In the end Cornwall Council could just says a site will be going here, and you will just have to deal with it. This will be bad for both sides, as the local community will resent the site, which in turn would make it harder for the (traveller) residents of the site to be part of that community.

Convincing people a site near them is a good idea might be difficult due to people’s perceptions on Gypsy and Traveller sites. I don’t think programs like My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, or the recent news coverage, and long legal battle at Dale Farm have helped people change their views, or dispelled many of the myths surrounding Gypsy and Travellers.

I think Cornwall Council needs to quickly identify any potential sites, start talking to the town or parish council, including the Cornwall Councillor, but most of all talk to the people who live in the vicinity. If not, all hell is likely to breakout.

If this isn’t the right way, what is? Travellers are an issue that won’t just ‘move on’. So, what is the solution?

Gypsy and Traveller Camps

Posted by Andrew Wallis on 14:00 Friday, April 16, 2010
Posted in: Cabinet, Gypsies, Housing. 12 comments
A new Working Group on this very subject has been set up. I am not a Member of this Group, but I have got hold of the notes and Agenda for this Panel. It makes for some very interesting reading. In my experience from being a former Kerrier District Councillor nothing makes the Public take to the streets or start a Petition quicker than when there is a hint of a Gypsy/Traveller site proposed for their area.
Now I will be straight up and say I do not know where these proposed new site could be, but only the recommendations laid down in the report. Much could change from this and the final decision, but I thought it right to tell what is being proposed. The next few paragraphs are taken from these notes.
It was decided that a key task and output of the Working Group was preparation of an initial Issues & Options paper for the included Travelling Communities Development Plan Document, the paper to be presented to Cabinet in July 2010 for approval in anticipation of possible public consultation in September 2010 (alongside a similar document for the Core Strategy). In terms of a related programme of work, in advance of presentation to Cabinet, it was decided that the next meeting (15th April) should focus on evidential issues and strategy options. Thereafter, draft and revised draft versions of the Issues & Options paper would be prepared for consideration at following meetings (13th May and 10th June respectively) before eventual presentation to Cabinet. 
Number of Families Occupying Unauthorised Sites
Cornwall    Caradon   Carrick   Kerrier   N. Cornwall   Penwith 
   118             7             20               24                0                      8            
Restormel
      59

RECOMMENDED DISTRIBUTION OF RESIDENTIAL SITES (GTAA) 

Caradon -  (1 Site) Liskeard area Gypsies and Irish Travellers
Carrick – (2 Sites) 1 Near Truro, New Travellers. Near authorised Wheal Jane Site – Gypsies and Irish Travellers
Kerrier – (2 Sites) Lizard – New Travellers. Near Camborne – Gypsies and Irish Travellers
Penwith – (1 Site) Not Specified – New Travellers
Restormel (2 Sites) St Austell/Bugle Area – Gypsies. Newquay – New Travellers.

Now these areas just listed are not confirmed, but just recommendations. 

RECOMMENDED DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSIT SITES (GTAA)

Caradon (1 Site) Near Liskeard, towards Plymouth
Carrick (2 Sites) Truro Area and Near Authorised Wheal Jewell Site
Kerrier (1 Site) Helston or Lizard
N. Cornwall (2 Sites) Davidstow and Camelford
Restormel (1 Site) Near St Austell.

Again, these are just recommendations, but as I said in my opening paragraphs, I think its only right that these should be known up front and not when the decision has been made that they ARE going there.

No sites have been identified in these areas. I am informed that before any decision is made the local community will be fully consulted before any decision is made. Saying that I think it’s always best to be up front on issues like this.

As always I welcome your views.