Fife Council pressing on with Gypsy Traveller stopover sites despite local opposition
Plans for dedicated stopover sites for Gypsy Travellers have been approved by Fife Council.
- By Claire Warrender
- Published in the Courier : 24.08.11
- Published online : 24.08.11 @ 10.46am
In the face of continuing community opposition, the principle of the creation of sites at Crail, Cardenden and Cairneyhill was voted through by members of the housing and communities committee on Tuesday.
Council officers have conceded the issue is controversial but have pledged to monitor the sites closely and liaise with locals.
They have said failure to establish stopover sites could prevent the council from seeking an eviction order from the courts to remove Gypsy Travellers from unauthorised encampments.
It is also hoped the plans will reduce the number of unofficial sites which spring up in Fife each year.
In the communities where sites are planned, there have been claims that there has been little or no consultation — despite assurances to the contrary by the local authority.
The proposal is for consent for three years, for March to October only, to be reviewed after one travelling season. The sites could be up and running as early as next spring.
Senior housing manager John Mills told the committee: "This is a controversial topic indeed. To date, no Scottish council has succeeded in establishing stopover sites for Gypsy Travellers.
"There are still a number of outstanding road safety concerns at the Cardenden and Cairneyhill sites.
"We have agreed meetings will take place in the run-up to any planning permission being approved by the council.
"Consultation doesn't stop with this committee report. There will be ongoing dialogue and I have suggested local liaison groups be established."
However, following a meeting with Cairneyhill Community Council, west Fife councillor Gerry McMullan said: "I am reliably informed that no discussions have taken place with anyone from Cairneyhill Community Council on this proposed site for travelling people.
"This particular disused road has now been fully secured, preventing travelling people from entering the area by the landowners, and it's interesting to note that when the area was considered as a possible site for a village amenity hall Fife Council rejected any notion of the idea due to the fact it was considered too dangerous for residents crossing the A985 and that the vehicle access points constituted a high risk."
Continued...
12.25pm - 24.08.2011 Trailblazer - Dundee, UK Report This
If the Government want these sites, let them put them on Government land. There is soon to be plenty of room at RAF Leuchars and the army will be there to keep an eye on the travelers. This will solve the councils legal problem or just get in the 21 century and make trespassing illegal in Scotland
12.35pm - 24.08.2011 Ronald Yeoman - Cardenden, United Kingdom Report This
If its dirty, noisy or troublesome send it to Cardenden Fife's favourite dumping ground where people don't count.
03.07pm - 24.08.2011 ST - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
@ Ronald Yes, completely unacceptable. Hopefully the people where you live will join you in haranguing those councillors, etc who are railroading this through, and get a resolution that works for you.
09.28pm - 24.08.2011 james hunter - cairneyhill, scotland Report This
Will Fife Council hold the meetings regarding any planning permission for these sitesbe done in the same way as the consultations?
11.53am - 26.08.2011 Richard Watson - Cardenden, UK Report This
Typical disgraceful behaviour of Fife Council. Why does this council simply ignore the good people of Fife, whom it exists to serve? The disruption to local people, increase in crime and other nuisance doesn't matter it seems. £15,000.00 for all three sites? Pull the other one Fife Council!
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