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.

2fmedia.thisisplymouth.co.uk%2fTSPlayer%2fJSON.aspx%3fid%3d40783%26embedded%3dtrue" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#C1C9E0" src="http://media.thisisplymouth.co.uk/tsplayer/videoplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="358">

New Gypsy and traveller site at Efford Warren.

2fmedia.thisisplymouth.co.uk%2fTSPlayer%2fJSON.aspx%3fid%3d42254%26embedded%3dtrue" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#C1C9E0" src="http://media.thisisplymouth.co.uk/tsplayer/videoplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="358">

Efford residents protest over proposed Gypsy site at Efford Warren.

2fmedia.thisisplymouth.co.uk%2fTSPlayer%2fJSON.aspx%3fid%3d4199%26embedded%3dtrue" menu="false" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#C1C9E0" src="http://media.thisisplymouth.co.uk/tsplayer/videoplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="358">

Rubbish left at Bickleigh Down, Roborough, after travellers left the site.