Residents unite to oppose Gypsy site
EFFORD residents have met to plan their tactics in the fight to stop Plymouth City Council putting a Gypsy and traveller site on their doorsteps.
The council has earmarked three areas where it could locate an extra 40 permanent and 15 transit pitches, including land at Efford Warren.
Councils around the country have been told by the Government that they have to make permanent provision for Gypsies and travellers.
Council-owned land off Military Road, Efford, was approved last year, and two privately-owned sites – at Mowhay Road, St Budeaux, and at Coypool – are out for consultation.
Fred Thorn, who chaired a meeting of 20 Efford residents' representatives and members of the Showmen's Guild on Tuesday, said: "We aren't against any Gypsy and Traveller site, provided it's in the right position."
He said the meeting had identified three better places:
The old bus depot on Laira Bridge Road
The planned new housing estate at Derriford and Seaton, where he said incoming residents would know what they were getting
The St Budeaux land already earmarked by the council.
"No doubt the St Budeaux residents will accuse us of Nimbyism, but the site there would have better road access to the A38, and better access to facilities like schools and doctors," Mr Thorn said.
A council spokeswoman said: "Last year there were 25 unauthorised encampments in Plymouth, which caused considerable social tensions and cost the council around £160,000."
Once a site is chosen, the council will apply for Government funding to cover the building costs.
New Gypsy and traveller site at Efford Warren.
Efford residents protest over proposed Gypsy site at Efford Warren.
Rubbish left at Bickleigh Down, Roborough, after travellers left the site.
11 Comments
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by Barb, St Budeaux
Friday, May 01 2009, 4:53PM
“The site at St Budeaux is a better option, I agree and live quite close by. At this site they are placed far enough away from existing houses and close to the A38. I and many of my neighbours don't object to it being here. As for Plympton, save that for the incinerator.”
by Reg, Efford
Friday, May 01 2009, 12:17PM
“I see someone commented about Tudor, Linda and Alison sticking their two pence worth in are they up for it or suddenly all busy”
by Knows Efford too well, Plymouth
Thursday, April 30 2009, 9:17PM
“No thick Efford parents want to comment? Oh dear, I was looking forward to correcting grammar and punctuation!”
by Michael, Plymouth
Thursday, April 30 2009, 3:08PM
“RE: Mick, Barbican
Judging by the standard of your spelling I expect we're all glad you don't vote for the main political parties. I expect the main political parties are glad too!”
by Mick, Barbican
Thursday, April 30 2009, 2:54PM
“Quote- "Councils around the country have been told by the Government that they have to make permanent provision for Gypsies and travellers"
It figgers, politicians are always putting decent citizens second to minority groups and immigrants etc, glad I don't vote for the main parties..:)”
by Gyppo' Jim 'Travlin Man', Various sites
Thursday, April 30 2009, 1:55PM
“Tis good ta see ya'll folk o' Plymuff Take sa kindly te us. I's been on me mobil tellin me folk about the country how welcum yous comments hav been...They be keen te come n' see for emselves. Thank'e”
by Andy S, Plymouth
Thursday, April 30 2009, 8:31AM
“Just thought I'd quickly point out a common misconception of 'Gypsies'. Proper, authentic, Romany Gypsies are pleasant, tidy, law-abiding people. It's the 'new-age travellers' (or simply 'travellers') that leave their rubbish and excrement everywhere after moving on from a site they illegally broke into. And another thing, if I were to walk to the entrance of a Police station and empty a week's worth of rubbish on the floor I'd be arrested right? So why on Earth are travellers allowed to litter to such magnitude and get away with it? Sort it out, Police, sort it out!”
by cynical sid, reality land
Thursday, April 30 2009, 8:10AM
“live and let live ... surprised you got time to on here .... thought you would be out and about helping travellers ... ,their range rovers need cleaning .”
by Keith, Eggbuckland
Thursday, April 30 2009, 7:51AM
“Fred Thorn seems to be making sense with the proposed sites and the logic behind those choices.
However Fred you are up against the opposition in the council and planning departments driven no doubt from directives from central office, that once they have said something cannot be seen to lose face, even when they are clearly wrong and against the residents rights and their life choices.
Get Tudor and local MP¿s like Linda and Alison to attend the next meeting, lets see what these have to say, anything politically sensitive or the slightest dodgy and they seem to go to ground, no photo opportunities I suppose ¿ just remember at the next elections people”
by Benny Factor, Bucharest.
Thursday, April 30 2009, 7:22AM
“Are gypsies swine flu vectors? How long can swine flu remain viable in a dumped burnt mattress?”