Change in law demanded over Traveller sites
A PLYMPTON councillor is demanding a change in the law to deal with travellers who flout planning regulations.
Conservative councillor John Lock, who represents Plympton Erle ward, claims travellers have abused the planning process by laying down a large hard-standing and placing two caravans on two blocks of "greenbelt" land on the edge of Plympton.
He said he and residents have repeatedly warned Plymouth City Council of developments at the two pieces of land in Ridge Road, close to the junction of Drunken Bridge Hill, where officials had only approved the placing of a stable.
Planning documents show that the application was approved in April 2009 and that the land was owned by Mr A J Reilly and Mr E P Reilly, of The Ride.
Mr Lock said he was "very angry" as he had already made the council's planning department aware of the situation.
He said: "I and the local residents have been working extremely hard together, warning the council of the situation. I'm absolutely disgusted that the law doesn't allow us to stop them."
Residents in the area spoke to The Herald under the condition of anonymity.
One said the two pieces of land – which sit diagonally opposite each other off a little lane leading to The Gables NHS Hospital – were bought up earlier this year, and immediately one of them began to be modified.
The resident said: "First it was little allotments, then hardstanding, then electricity, then a water line and eventually on a weekend in March a caravan appeared. During all this residents contacted the council, telling them what was going on."
Another neighbour noted how the old part of Drunken Bridge Hill, which originally crossed what is now the A38, had been used by the new tenants.
The resident said that blueprints for the area showed a high-pressure water main, which supplied Elburton and Plymstock, ran under this lane.
Residents are now furious another block of land just a few yards away has gone through the same process.
A planning application for a stables was put forward and approved, but neighbours soon became aware of activity on Friday evening when they spotted lorries laden with gravel and hardstanding, rollers and eventually cranes to lower in two caravans.
Councillor Terri Beer, who also represents the ward, said she saw the lorries coming across Plymouth Road.
She said: "You could see the caravans on the back of the loaders. It's completely outrageous."
A resident said they had received a visit on Monday from both a city council enforcement officer and what he described as "a diversity and gypsy-liaison officer."
Councillor Lock said: "The placing of the stables is legal, but living there isn't. The residents fear there will now be a retrospective application for the mobile homes.
"There's currently no planning permission for the caravans. I know the council's enforcement officer has been out there in recent weeks, because of our suspicions.
"Now our worst fears have been confirmed."
Police have confirmed they were called to the property on Saturday morning, but that the matter was covered by civil law, not criminal.
Councillor Lock said: "I've met local residents over the past two or three months since the planning application was put in. Some of them are very worried about the implications.
"The government should legislate to give police powers to prevent this kind of thing. It could've been avoided.
"It appears the law works in favour of illegal occupants, not the residents or the council or even the police."
16 Comments
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by alex, mansfield
Wednesday, September 30 2009, 4:52AM
“How you people can go on i really dont know, Do travellers have two heads? Being anti traveller is just like being rascist, Everybody needs somewhere to live! The council cannot provide enough sites to house them all, Land owners evict them wherever they go, so to put down roots and put their kids in school (which is everybody's human right) travellers need to find some kind of stability and this is their only real option........ should they change their way of life just to suit the majority or does the freedom of choosing the way they live their lives come under the hammer. There has been far too much discrimination against travellers and the way they choose to live their lives and they are being vicimised because they are who and what they are. Just remember when your neighbour sells their house you have absolutly no say in who can buy that house or what kind of peerson can live in it. What we reallyneed in this country is areas set aside for these communities in which to live their lives as they see fit much in line with the reservations for the indians in America.”
by Efford resident since 1948, Efford
Saturday, July 18 2009, 11:43AM
“The traveller who has made an illegal site on the edge of Plympton has said it ALL! He wanted to get his family away from the Ride because he states that the Ride is a health risk, so why should the residents of Efford be expected to put up with the same happening here at Efford Warren? Councillor Lock you deserve this traveller and others like him on your doorstep, after all you said at the planning meeting for the Efford site. Now I suggest to any other travelling family , they find out where the rest of the committee live and set up home on their doorstep ,they are sure to welcome you with open arms, especially councillor Joan Watkins ,she may even share her pork pies with you . ! ! ! !”
by SCARED, PLYMPTON
Friday, July 17 2009, 10:48AM
“AFTER WALKING ALONG A PUBLIC FOOTPATH NEAR SPARKWELL WHERE THERE WERE A SELECTION OF'TRAVELLERS' I WAS CHASED BY A THUG IN A WHITE TRANSIT VERBALLY ABUSED AND THEN THREATENED
THESE ARE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE ARE DEALING WITH
TOTAL LACK OF RESPECT FOR ANYONE
BULID THEM A CAMP IN AFGHANISTAN THEN LET THEM TAKE OUT THEIR AGRESSION ON THE LOCALS
THEY ARE TOO COSSETED AND PAMPERED
LET THEM DO A HARD DAYS WORK LIKE ME
FREELOADING SCROUNGING
BAR-STEWARDS!!!!”
by Reg, Efford
Thursday, July 16 2009, 3:32PM
“You all voted Labour to bring all these laws in, so please don't moan now.
These country is in ruin with large debt thanks to these clowns”
by Efford lad, Efford
Thursday, July 16 2009, 10:48AM
“councillor lock how can you have the front to complain about the abuse of the planning process when you and your party abused it a number of times at the efford warren site planning meeting at least this greenbelt land at plympton will not see 21 trees chopped down just for a footpath like pcc have planned for the efford warren site .”
by Reg, Efford
Thursday, July 16 2009, 9:20AM
“Lock no comment on the Efford sites, now its in your backyard good, what goes around comes around”
by Mick, Barbican
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 9:46PM
“Homeowner quote- "There has been a blatant and total disregard of the planning regulations and process"
Yes that's a key element of the gipsies brilliant blitzkrieg tactics, seize the ground quickly and decisively, then fortify it before the enemy can respond..:)”
by Homeowner, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 9:17PM
“I am utterly furious that Plymouth City Council have yet again failed to respond to residents complaints. There has been a blatant and total disregard of the planning regulations and process. Furthermore, I anticipate that PCC will subsequently roll over and allow the buildings to remain. When will the councilors and the council employees realise they represent and work for "us" the residents who pay their salaries.”
by Percy Vere, sofa
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 8:02PM
“Grow up George.”
by jannerplanner, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 15 2009, 6:51PM
“Nice to see how informed Mr Lock is about his area. There is no Green belt land in Devon or Cornwall. Its a shame he wasnt so vocal when his council was railroading the planning process to ensure the permanent travellers site will be in Efford rather than next to him and his cronies”