At a recent meeting of Lancashire District Leaders the Leader of Preston Council Ken Hudson alerted Council Leaders to a consultation document which had been put forward by 4NW (formerly the North West Regional Assembly) on meeting the Governments targets for the provision of permanent sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the North West. The link provided takes readers to a video produced by 4NW on this subject.
http://www.nwrpb.org.uk/downloads/documents/feb_09/nwra_1234530058_RTPI_2008_Award_article.doc
Currently the suggested figure for the Borough of Fylde is five additional sites. Fylde residents will be aware of a number of recent private applications which were refused by the Council, all will also be aware of the challenges faced by travelling showpeople, during the “Club Day” season. This figure has not been agreed by Fylde Council and I am keen to involve as many residents as possible in this consultation to ensure that the potential impact of these sites are minimised if imposed by Government.
Although I appreciate that the Council needs to be mindful of it’s responsibilities to the Travelling community and that, evidence shows, “Official” sites do reduce the threat of illegal camp sites, the challenges that the Council is currently facing regarding the lack of available land for housing will only make the identification of five such sites more difficult and controversial.
I will keep you posted.
John Coombes - Putting Fylde First 