Residents protest against proposed Gypsy site
EFFORD residents gathered for a demonstration against a Gypsy site proposed for their area.
Around 50 local residents came together at the site of between 10 and 13 planned permanent plots off Military Road in Efford Warren to show solidarity of a community which says it does not believe the site is the right place.
The council-owned land at Efford is the first of a number of possible permanent Gypsy and traveller sites across the city which the council is obliged by the Government to provide.
Locals banded placards and voiced a range of concerns from the location being surrounded by a nature reserve which will be disturbed, especially a path of a bat flight as well as owls, badgers and foxes which all live in the space.
Others say they are disillusioned by local government who they claim have not properly consulted them.
“It’s the utter lack of consultation that has incensed us. It’s just a joke,” Efford resident Gordon McKillop said.
He claims the only contact Plymouth City Council had with residents was at the Respect Festival around three years ago and one open day at Efford Library around the same time.
Some residents have gone further and have uncovered research which they say stands-up their protests.
Paul Martin, secretary of the Thames Gardens Residents’s Association, says research carried out by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation recommends that to successfully integrate into the local community, gypsies must be housed near local services.
He says that the land off Military Road has no bus service and no pedestrianised paths which would mean the community could become isolated.
He said: “The study shows that gypsies should be inclusive to the local community, not isolated. Efford’s site would not be integrating them into the community as it is cut-off and is therefore not appropriate.
“Society is meant to be working to break down the barriers between different communities, this site does not achieve this.”
The council’s response to this is that they might put access routes in but residents say they are worried this will infringe on hedgerows, further damaging the nature reserve.
“We feel there are far more appropriate brown field sites in the city centre,” Mr Martin said.
He also believes that the gypsy site is likely to expand, as has been seen at other sites, but Efford Warren cannot accommodate this, he says, due to the surrounding countryside.
Efford resident, Fred Thorne, chairman of the Horseshoe Residents Association in Efford, has spent around 20 hours researching at Plymouth reference library and has uncovered minutes from March 1976.
He says the minutes from a policy and resources committee, chaired by Cllr Creber, states a recommendation agreed by the committee that the site will never be reopened as a gypsy caravan site.
Minutes taken from the same committee in February of the following year, shows a recommendation based on reports from the council’s chief executive, town clerk and city planning officer. He says that the minutes show committee recommendations that the land should be put to agricultural use.
Fred said he has been informed that a prohibition order was made that the site should never be used as a gypsy site again.
Resident Bob Locke believes that the land had a convenant placed on it which still stands stating that no fires should ever be lit on it or businesses run out of it.
People can view the proposed gypsy site plans at Efford library at various times, Monday to Friday, until April 17.
Video footage showing the new Gypsy and traveller site at Efford Warren in its current state before Gypsies move in.
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by sam, plymouth
Saturday, April 11 2009, 1:34PM
“and also i think that the assumtion that everyone that lives in efford lives in a crappy house is pathetic, ok i will admit there are a few but most take pride in there home. its nothing personal against the gypo's as there are probably a few genuine ones but we do not want the camp there period.
if you dont like peoples views then dont ask for them. as for the people who dont care they are not the ones who have to live with it near enough in there garden. so dont complain you morons. you oppinion is not wanted here.”
by sam, plymouth
Saturday, April 11 2009, 1:12PM
“"Is there anything to steal or damage in Efford? I thought the place was a dump, full of the roughest types in Plymouth. Better to put them there than in a residential area where people actually own their own properties. A friend who lives in Lower Compton has had gangs of Efford chavs congregating there for the purpose of fighting and causing damage. The Efford residents need to get their own house in order before worrying about the Travellers. Little Miss, As far away from Efford as possible "
you are what is wrong with this country you doo gooding fool”
by Sam, EFFORD
Saturday, April 11 2009, 1:02PM
“why are efford people being called racists just because they dont want the gypsy camp?
what about our human rights?
i have no problem with the real romany gypsies and i have gypsy in my family BUT these are not romany gypsys. not even linda gilroy wants them there so why are we expected to?
and i think that the fact that there was no REAL public consultations is disgusting, they have already got the diggers there ready to start and they say that they have not decided yet, well it certainly looks like it.
i am a 17 law student in plymouth and i intent to help fight this all the way.”
by Student, Mutley
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 7:47PM
“The truth about Nick Griffin, BNP leader:
Born in 1959.
Joined the National Front (NF) while a law student at Cambridge and became its national student organiser in 1978.
Has a close political relationship with Roberto Fiore, a convicted Italian terrorist whose organisation was responsible for the Bologna railway station bombing in 1980 which killed 85 people.
Skilled at plotting against and smearing his colleagues, intrigue and using disciplinary tribunals and expulsions to manipulate himself into a position of strength in any organisation, a skill developed in the NF and carried through to the BNP.
Visited Libya on a fundraising trip as a guest of Colonel Gaddafi's regime in 1986.
Convicted in 1998 of distributing material likely to incite racial hatred - it was a magazine denying that the Holocaust took place.
Today only believes in the Holocaust but only because "European law" requires him to do so.
Promotes a venomous hatred of Muslims.
Believes the BNP must prepare for a coming civil war in the UK.
Continues to maintain links with US white supremacists, especially Preston Wiginton who Griffin praised for his links with Russian fascist groups implicated in several political and racist murders.
DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE BNP”
by Student, Mutley
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 7:37PM
“For the truth about the BNP google Hope not Hate.”
by Natalie, Efford
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 7:33PM
“I have just read through all the comments about Efford! I have lived in the area for 22 years with no problems, just a lovely community spirit and friendly environment. To all the people insulting us you need to remember that you get good and bad in all area and not to tar us all with the same brush! Finally yes my husband and myself work very hard and pay our taxes as do most of us!”
by Kel, Plymouth
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 6:57PM
“I am hoping that the residents are Efford (who you are clearly targetting!) are aware of the convictions for inciting racial hatred of the BNP leader Nick Griffin, and also his denial of the holocaust is also a clear indication of their real agenda. Voting should be done based on a whole range of issues, not the single issue of racial hatred. Happy to get that off my chest!”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 6:24PM
“Kel, how right you are. There are two types of people who would vote for the BNP, either the pure evil or the pig ignorant. Very worrying indeed.”
by lee, plymouth
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 6:24PM
“kel you dont no what your on about sat there in you payed for council house if you had to pay there tax bills and pay to clean there mess up you might think abit more before a daft comment”
by Kel, Plymouth
Wednesday, April 08 2009, 6:02PM
“I'm more worried about the fact that the BNP think they have any influence in Plymouth. I'd rather have a city full of travellers than sneaky, racist, pieces of poo!”