Cheshire East Council is required to build more permanent Gypsy and Traveller sites and they are currently identifying suitable locations.
Under the Housing Act 2004, all local authorities have a legal requirement to provide sites. Whilst there are a number of private sites and one local authority site in Cheshire East, the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and Related Services Assessment, published in 2007, identified a need to provide further permanent pitches.
Between 27 and 42 pitches need to have been built by the end of this year. So far Cheshire East have created 10 permanent pitches so they are 17 short of the minimum required. A further 19 to 22 pitches must be provided by 2016 along with 10 plots for travelling show persons and 10 pitches for transit provision.
Currently there are no sites in the Alderley Edge, Prestbury and Wilmslow area so I asked Cheshire East how many sites they were looking to establish and which locations were being considered but at this stage they were unable to provide any detail.
A Cheshire East Council spokesperson confirmed that the number of sites depends upon how many suitable locations they find and they are looking across the whole of Cheshire East.
Since 2009 it is estimated that Cheshire East Council has spent more than £50,000 in legal fees and cleaning up unauthorised encampments. It is estimated that the cost to businesses of dealing with these unauthorised encampments is even higher.
Cheshire East are on the look out for permanent sites which are popular with certain groups of Gypsies and Travellers because it provides them with access to local healthcare and schools. Cheshire East also say there is substantial evidence that providing permanent sites reduces local tensions by enabling Gypsies and Travellers to integrate far better into the local community. Permanent sites also mean they pay council tax, rent, gas and electricity.
If the Council doesn't have enough permanent sites, they say the chance of unauthorised developments gaining retrospective planning permission is increased which would leave the authority, and residents, powerless to act.
Cheshire East Council is also looking at locations for transit sites for Gypsy and Travellers who are passing through the Borough, to reduce the number of unauthorised encampments which have financial implications for the authority, especially when they have been located on Council land.
Councillor Rachel Bailey, Cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: "Cheshire East Council is committed to working more effectively and proactively in meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers.
"We appreciate traveller sites can be controversial but we feel that by tackling the issue in a positive way we can achieve a satisfactory outcome for both Gypsies and Travellers and residents in Cheshire East. It is a balance of rights and responsibilities for all involved.
"In addition to a permanent site, we are looking at locations for transit sites. We are confident that this proactive approach to development will avoid ad-hoc sites and the problems associated with them.
"This whole process is aimed at making the right provision in the right place for Gypsies and Travellers."
Comments
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Isn't that an oxymoron?
On the other hand, if everyone would like to contribute towards buying a piece of land, and building a concrete plinth on which I could put a new house I'd be grateful. And I'd need water and electricity supplies laying in, of course, as my rights. Thank you.
A number of locations along the M6 corridor were considered and the Parkers Road/Kent Lane site in the Coppenhall area of Crewe was judged to be the most appropriate location for a permanent site.
If approved, the site would house 12 pitches and an amenity block with washrooms, kitchen, dayroom and laundry.
Other sites in Crewe were looked at along with sites in Alsager, Sandbach, Walleys Green, Goostrey and Haslington.