Reducing the list of potential traveller sites from 25 to just five has removed worry and uncertainty – and having one in the borough will save taxpayers’ money.
As reported, North East Lincolnshire Council will meet on November 5 to discuss proposals to move forward to public consultation on a new shortlist of potential sites for a Designated Stopping Site for gypsies and travellers.
It comes after a scrutiny panel previously recommended to revisit a list of 25 – in what was branded a disappointing decision that looked backward, not forward.
Councillor John Fenty, deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration, housing and skills, explained how many of those sites had been dismissed for good reason, and that publicity surrounding them caused unnecessary distress to some residents – because the sites would never have made it to public consultation because of their unsuitability.
“It is the Cabinet’s view that there should have only been a shortlist of sites worthy of consideration in the public domain,” he said.
Councillor Fenty reiterated that North East Lincolnshire has no choice but to find a site, by law. It will be gated and fenced, and those staying on the site will pay rent.
He said: “We have removed the worry and uncertainty for the all the people who were potentially exposed to those 25 sites.
“If we have a compliant site, we can control gypsies and travellers who, to date, trespass on council-owned or privately-owned sites on a regular basis.
“There are strict Government criteria that sites must meet to be compliant, so we can’t just ‘stick them in the middle of nowhere’, so to speak. When occupied, the site will be monitored and there is a charge for using it, as well as a limit on the amount of time anyone can stay there.
“Importantly, when such a site is provided by a local authority, if gypsies and travellers come into the area and refuse to use it, the police have the power to immediately move them out. As it currently stands, a court order must first be obtained before they can be moved on. This is time-consuming – and while the order is being sought, the travellers and gypsies camp illegally.
“Having a proper site should save council taxpayers’ money.”
The five proposed sites on the new shortlist to be discussed are:
- Land off former Nunsthorpe Youth Centre (demolished) (Wootton Road).
- Land at Winchester Avenue / Torksey Drive and Toynton Road.
- Land under Cleethorpes Road Flyover West.
- Wellington Street car park.
- Garibaldi Street car park.
The shortlist will be presented to a meeting of the council’s economy scrutiny panel on November 5 before going to the council’s Cabinet on November 6. If approved by Cabinet, the shortlist will be subject to a full public consultation following a fresh technical assessment of each site.
About the author