Move travellers to Cinderford site
Campaigners are calling for Forest of Dean District Council to move travellers from a site in Newent to a designated site in Cinderford.
Travellers started unauthorised building over the Bank Holiday weekend at a site in Southend Lane, which many residents feel is unsuitable.
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But campaigners are now asking why the travellers have not been moved to the old Cinders caravan site in Crump Meadows, Cinderford, which was designated for travellers in November 1976 but has been unoccupied for almost 10 years.
Keith Urch, chairman of Newent Civic Society, said: "I understand that there is a site in Cinderford that has been designated for travellers, but it has been trashed by previous occupiers. Despite the condition the site was left in, surely the district council should have found the funds to reinstate it, ready for occupation when the need arose such as this.
"We need to work together to sort this out. The Newent experience suggests that only by being proactive can councils steer travellers looking to settle towards sites which best suit the entire community."
The Gipsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment in 2007 found that Forest of Dean District Council needed to find an extra 30 plots for travellers in the district.
Last Monday, more than 150 residents met with officers from the Forest of Dean District Council to raise their concerns about the travellers staying on the Southend Lane site.
A spokesman from campaign group Southend Lane Action Movement (SLAM) said: "It still remains to be seen whether the Southend Lane site would be suitable for them and we don't think it is right for a number of reasons.
"Cinderford has a recognised site so it would be logical to move the travellers there as I presume it already has electricity and water, and things like that. I also presume that when it was built residents would have been consulted and it was still passed, so I think it is something that the council should look at."
A spokesman from Forest of Dean District Council said: "The Cinders site is just one of a number of options we are looking at, all of which will require quite a bit of further work and consultation, so it would not be a fast process."
The travellers were given an enforcement notice on June 2, which means that they have until July 2 to appeal.
However, because the land is owned by the travellers, the council has received a retrospective planning application from them which is currently invalid, but they expect them to resend it, which could then drag the process out for months or even years.
18 Comments
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by Newent Resident, Newent
Saturday, June 20 2009, 11:15AM
“I would like to know where this other camp has been set up as there is absolutly no sign of this around the area, and as for the water on the lane I think you will find that it a water main gone kaputt as this has ahppened before.Don`t put all the blame on the travellers as there are people in Newent that get away with a lot worse.”
by Vorester,, Zinnerford, capital of the Vorest,
Friday, June 19 2009, 6:33PM
“Brian
Thank you for your response. My comment about not hearing about SLAM before was to understand if they were an established voice of Newent or created as a result of the Travellers invading the site. Sorry if that touched a raw nerve.
Now perhaps my written English was not to the same standard as I might have been able to write had I gone to Newent School.
I quote ".....Since the travellers moved in I've not heard anything negative about them, only SLAM want them moved to Cinderford.".
In simple speak "I've not heard anything negative reported about them (the travellers) .
I then was going on to say that only SLAM seems to want them moved to Cinderford.
I thought that was clear but clearly not and for that I must apologise.
Now you go on to say "you understand that Slam ! is well placed to answer these questions and report to the right people. Perhaps they assume that you are not that person !" Well I am a reader of this webpage, they posted a response and want support for their cause, I would like to know the facts , not just that they turned up on a bank holiday weekend, and completed work that would have taken the council weeks.
Could say I am inquisitive, remember the 45 minutes spiel Tony Blair cited as a reason for action in Iraq?
You then say " Incidentally, you have pitched in a lot of specific questions. What prompted these ? Do, you know more than is being reported here ?", well the answer to that is No but what I was trying to elicit was answers. There had been a suggestion SLAM don't feel the site is right. These are pretty obvious concerns that I, and probably many others, would ask if there are problems (many questions but trying to get answers to specifics).
I hope this explains my comments and in the absence of anything reported to this webpage leads me to believe these travellers are not being problematic to the locals now they are in situ.”
by Brian, Newent
Friday, June 19 2009, 5:38AM
“Hello Vorester and the rest of the World
The Southend Lane Action Movement (Slam !) exists as a result of the invasion.
What do you mean by your statement that you have never heard of SLAM before ? Does it mean that Slam ! does not exist ? and why would YOU have heard anything negative about them ?
I understand that Slam ! is well placed to answer these questions and report to the right people. Perhaps they assume that you are not that person !
Incidentally, you have pitched in a lot of specific questions. What prompted these ? Do, you know more than is being reported here ?”
by Vorester, Zinnerford, capital of the Vorest, Zinnerford, capital of the Vorest
Thursday, June 18 2009, 7:48PM
“Thank you, Slam Member! Newent for a shortened reminder of your point.
I'd never heard of SLAM before, Since the travellers moved in I've not heard anything negative about them, only SLAM want them moved to Cinderford.
Are they speeding down the lane? Dumping rubbish all over the place? Have rats infested the site? is their septic tank overflowing? Has the local health authority issued a Health warning about infectious or contagious diseases? Have they started dismantling cars? Have the Police been called to attend through noise or nuisance?
I've heard nothing reported about this in the Citizen or Forester.
SLAM is well placed to answer this and share with others via this site.
Nobody can condone bad behaviour.
My purpose in my first posting was to try to get some facts about this, ytour previous post merely said the site was felt unsuited. But I didn't know why.
Please let the wider viewers know answers to these questions I have raised.
Thanks.”
by SLAM! member, Newent
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 10:31PM
“Vorester - perhaps my last message was too long - here's the point again:
Regardless of where the Traveller sites are right now, Newent, Cinderford, Lydney it makes little difference, if the FODDC and County Council don't make adequate provision, this situation will keep on occuring. It won't be long before something similar happens within your comfort zone too. When that time comes I'm sure you'll be appealing for support in just the same way we are. The difference is that we'll be happy to help.
By the way SLAM! has just been tipped off that there's been another illegal occupation of a site in Newent this evening!”