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Permanent sites for travellers set to be opposed (From Andover Advertiser)
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Permanent sites for travellers set to be opposed
2:40pm Saturday 4th July 2009
A PLAN to put more than 25 permanent travellers’ pitches in the borough is set to meet with opposition tonight from councillors.
Proposals by the South East England Planning Board (SEEPB) want to see 11 new permanent pitches for gypsies and 17 for travelling showpeople set up in Basingstoke and Deane by 2016.
But councillors on the planning and infrastruc-ture overview and scrutiny committee believe that the numbers grossly exaggerate the need and are expected to voice their objections at tonight’s meeting.
In a report for the meeting, officers say the proposed number of new permanent gypsy pitches in the consultation report, which covers the South East, is not needed.
They argue that new sites and pitches should be identified in areas where these groups already live, instead of forcing them to move miles.
The number of pitches for travelling showpeople is also regarded as excessive, with SEEPB providing no sound evidence that such a high proportion of this community needs or wants sites in Basingstoke.
Councillor Stephen Reid, chairman of the committee, said: “The nature of travellers in Basingstoke has a history of being transitory.
“When we had a permanent site in the borough before, it wasn’t really making a difference because we didn’t have many people who wanted a permanent site. So I think it is right to object.”
Councillors at the meeting have been recommended to object to such high numbers in the consultation.
The consultation will end next month and an independent planning inspector will then examine it in February next year.
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Your Say YourAndover
JacquesMeahof, Hampshire says...
5:18pm Tue 7 Jul 09
They choose this way of life because they like it. When a bunch from Basingstoke were (finally) caught and prosecuted (successfully) they had over £120,000 in cash in one caravan alone! That is probably just the tip of a huge iceberg.
I wish I had that kind of CASH lying around.
Bonzo_Dog, Republic of Kempshott says...
8:22am Wed 8 Jul 09
They have now accepted this and have made it as lucrative as possible because of their clever avoidance of any taxes and payments that we have reluctantly accepted.
(MP's and other wealthy people pay accountants to do the same job!!)
Yes, I've heard many stories of the 'cash' they have, but they have no need to disclose or part with it.
Maybe we are the fools eh?
BasingBloke, Basingstoke says...
7:02pm Wed 8 Jul 09
ive heard car dealerships telling of travelers having plastic bags full of £ to go buy cars and vans with
ChinehamIan, Chineham says...
12:27pm Thu 9 Jul 09
vernonbutcher, basingstoke says...
1:51pm Fri 10 Jul 09
No amount of pardoning for their behaviour is excusable. Most of us work hard, pay our taxes (however grudgingly) and follow the letter and spirit of the law. Travellers should not be allowed to 'put upon' others.
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Bonzo_Dog, Republic of Kempshott says...
7:24pm Sat 4 Jul 09
Temporary stopovers might help, but who wants to clear up the mess they leave on a regular basis?
The tax money we pay at the moment is already stretched and no one wants to see it rise again.
I often think that 'there but for the grace of God go I.'
Many people have been homeless for a while or have lost their jobs and families in a short time. It could happen to any of us which is why we often press for more help from the council/housing associations.
Ticking all the boxes is not always possible so we could end up on the streets even after forty years hard work. It happens so easily, especially when all help fails which is commonplace.
I personally think that individual travelling families should be helped off the streets and out of the fields and assisted back into 'normal life' (whatever that is.) It won't be easy, but if every county in this country played it's part then we could overcome this plight on our fragile society.