A proposed list of 25 traveller sites could be reduced to only five – in a move that could reverse a “disappointing” scrutiny panel decision that looked backward, not forward.
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet will next month discuss proposals to move forward to public consultation on a new shortlist of potential sites for a Designated Stopping Site for gypsies and travellers.
The five proposed sites on the new shortlist to be discussed are:
- Land of 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.
Councillor John Fenty, deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, housing and skills, said the issue needed to move forward.
“We know this is a very sensitive issue and we’re listening to the public, ‘’ he explained.
“Rightly, this is a very sensitive matter, and in that context, Cabinet members were disappointed that Scrutiny wanted to look backward and revisit 25 sites that had been dismissed for good reason.
“The recent publicity of the 25 potential sites has exacerbated this issue, causing unnecessary upset among our residents when in all likelihood, many of these sites would have been ruled out before the public consultation stage.
“It is now obvious that opposition members have been disingenuous in proposing this, which has become clear through their action in objectors’ meetings.
“It is the Cabinet’s view that there should have only been a shortlist of sites worthy of consideration in the public domain.
“In that regard Cabinet has taken on board the wish of Councillor Karl Wilson in his request to add Garibaldi Street car park for consideration, so this site has been included in the short list.
“Additionally, information has emerged from an objectors’ meeting highlighting that during his time as portfolio holder responsible for finding a Designated Stopover Gypsy Traveller site, Councillor Matthew Patrick – who was in attendance – ruled out Orwell Street and wrote to businesses accordingly.
“This was a decision made on behalf of the council.
“Respecting that, I do not propose to have that decision overturned and therefore Orwell Street car park has been removed from the short list.
“We have to have a site – this is a requirement of the Local Plan – and there are certain criteria that it has to meet. The site will be gated, and anyone staying on the site will pay rent.
“Cabinet are now going to take control of the agenda around this issue and press ahead, taking these five sites to the next stage, and then offering the public a chance to have their say.”
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