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Council Accepts Gypsy Plan For Cheshire West Needs More Work
| Published: 8th September 2011 10:02 |
Members of Cheshire West & Chester Council's Executive Committee have recognised that more work needs to be done before any of the proposed Gypsy and Traveller Sites can be progressed.
The meeting was chaired by Cllr Mike Jones.
In particular, Councillors confirmed that they had only latterly become aware of a 'gentleman's agreement' in place regarding the potential sale of the land that has been proposed as a site in Neston, which could lead to business development and new jobs in the area.
The meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Executive Committee took place on Wednesday night, with standing room only as around 200-250 members of the public, from all the Wards in which the proposed sites are located, took their opportunity to attend. Some also put their opinions and questions to the meeting.
The Council's Executive has maintained that it has an obligation to provide legal sites for Gypsies and Travellers. This stance was challenged by both members of the public and local Councillors. There were also many comments from the floor relating to the suitability of the sites currently earmarked, and the potential impact on local residents and the economy in the communities involved.
Parkgate resident Michael Postlethwaite said: "There has been no mention in the Ekosgen report as to whether sites are suitable in the local context." He further urged the Committee to undertake a full impact assessment, taking in the potential effects on residents, businesses, property values and pressure on services, before attempting to reach any decisions.
In his statement, Neston ward Councillor Andy Williams outlined the specific issues affecting the proposed site at Clayhill in Neston. Information had come to light that showed the land concerned is of interest to a business who may develop it, resulting in a considerable number of new jobs. A representative of the business concerned informed the meeting that they already have two factories and have been in negotiation to purchase the land to build a third. He also pointed out that the land would be wholly unsuitable for residential use for a variety of reasons, and also that the area is not a 'natural migration site' for gypsies and travellers.
Cllr Williams went on to say that the site was unsuitable for the travellers themselves due to its proximity to the household waste site, noise from HGV traffic 24 hours a day from the ALDI distribution centre and the lack of suitable local schools within a reasonable distance.
He further described the area as a vibrant and expanding business park - but one that is relatively small and that the impact of the proposed development would therefore be disproportionate. He also explained that he had spoken to a number of existing businesses on the Clayhill Estate who have said that if the development progresses, they would relocate out of the area.
Parkgate Councillor Brenda Dowding, a member of the Executive Committee, explained that the Ekosgen report, and the Commitee's reaction to it, was "only the very start of the the process." In a reasoned attempt at calming troubled waters she further stated that most of the questions being raised by the public and Councillors at the meeting could only be asked if and when the planning process began on any or all of the sites concerned.
The meeting was a lively one, given the strength of feeling amongst residents and businesses in attendance, who feel they may be adversely affected by the creation of permanent residential sites for Gypsies and Travellers within their communities. Cllr Dowding's assertion that "We need to take a closer look at the individual sites, but we are not here to do that tonight," caused a particularly heated outburst from some attendees. She did, however, acknowledge that the information relating to the business interest in the land at Clayhill had only recently come to light, and was an indicator of how more research needed to be done before sites were put forward for planning permission.
Further statements by Executive Members followed, including some additional comments from Cllr Mike Jones, who explained that the commissioning of the report by Ekosgen had met the Council's legal obligation thus far. Cllr Herbert Manley then acquiesced to pleas from various speakers in proposing that the Commitee 'note' the report from Ekosgen, rather than 'accepting' it, as it was clear that a great deal more research into the potential impact of the proposed sites needs to be done. This motion was duly carried. It means that the process will now move to the planning stage, but full public consultation will be carried out.
Councillor Jones said: "This is merely the start of a necessary process. Moving to the planning stage will allow full public consultation.
"I can assure everyone that the major issues raised in respect of all of these sites - both last night and in the forthcoming consultation - will be reviewed in full."
To see a replay of the entire meeting, visit the Cheshire West and Chester website, where the webcast will be available here shortly.
Statement from Andrew Miller MP
Andrew Miller MP today gave the following statement to AboutMyArea/CH64:
"I was recently briefed by the Council on the transit and permanent sites they are proposing for travellers.
"Properly managed sites will relieve the ad hoc situation the area currently has where retrospective temporary permission has been granted in unsuitable areas. However I think that the proposal for travellers to occupy land adjacent to the Clayhill Industrial site has not been properly thought through.
"The land here is eminently suitable for the expansion of both existing and new businesses and indeed a number of companies have already contacted me on their plans. I would not want to see current and future jobs put at risk.
"I have already brought these particular matters to the attention of the Chief Executive of the Council.
"If the Council do go ahead with their plans and put in a planning application for a permanent traveller site adjacent to Clayhill individuals and businesses should make their observations and planning objections to the Planning Authority: Cheshire West & Chester Council, HQ, 58 Nicholas Street, Chester, CH1 2NP or http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/planning.aspx."
Related Content:
Gypsy Site in Neston Threatens New Local Jobs
Consultants Propose Official Travellers Site in Neston (includes Survey)
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Comments
,Also to Andy Williams for his involvement and professionalism to not only show why this site is unsuitable for the existing local community & businesses but why it would be unsuitable for the travellers themselves.
Reading between the lines of the above report - I believe the council had a legal obligation to identify sites and therefore they just wanted to "tick the box" that progress was being made so they met the minimum obligation at this point. Hopefully now local feelings & impact on Jobs are noted, the council will look at more suitable locations before progressing with any site in Cheshire.
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