‘Travellers site not needed in Valley’ – MP
RBC writes to minister as opposition mounts
COUNCIL bosses have written to the government to ask whether controversial plans for a travellers site in Rossendale can now be scrapped.
Rossendale council leader Alyson Barnes has asked Housing Minister James Brokenshire to clarify if one is needed in the borough’s Local Plan. It comes after Rossendale’s MP Jake Berry spoke out against locating a site at Futures Park, in Bacup, which has been opposed by nearly 2,000 residents.
Mr Berry said: “I am urging Rossendale council to agree with me and hundreds of other residents, that any formal transit provision for gypsy/travellers in Rossendale is unnecessary and that they should scrap plans for such a site.”
In response Coun Barnes told the Free Press: “I am writing to the Secretary of State to ask for clarification on the situation because if an MP is saying this, maybe there is a change of policy we are unaware of.”
A campaign petition opposing provision for a travellers site at Bacup has now been opposed by 1,904 people.
Resident Rob Wells said to ignore it would be ‘dodging democracy’.
COUNCIL bosses have written to the government to request whether controversial plans for a travellers site in Rossendale can be scrapped.
Coun Alyson Barnes has asked Housing Minister James Brokenshire to clarify if one is needed in the borough’s Local Plan.
It comes after Rossendale’s MP Jake Berry spoke out against locating a site at Futures Park, in Bacup, which has been opposed by nearly 2,000 residents.
Previously proposed sites at Whitworth and Sharney- ford have already been scrapped, while the possibility was raised this week of neighbouring boroughs taking additional travellers at their existing sites.
Mr Berry had urged the council to explore this possibility. Writing on Facebook, he said: “I am urging Rossendale council to agree with me and hundreds of other residents, that any formal transit provision for gypsy/travellers in Rossendale is unnecessary and that they should scrap plans for such a site.”
A petition against the proposed site at Futures Park, which would be for travellers to ‘stop over’ rather than permanently stay, is approaching 2,000 signatures. Protesters say the location is unsuitable and could put off businesses from coming to what is an enterprise area.
Coun Barnes’ letter to the minister, which references Mr Berry’s comments, states: “The allocation of a temporary gypsy/travellers site is one of the most controversial decisions this council has had to make. I would welcome a positive and speedy response.”
She told the Free Press: “I am writing to the Secretary of State to ask for clarification on the situation because if an MP is saying this maybe there is a change of policy we are unaware of.
“Jake Berry raised this, if there is a change we need to know about it and act accordingly.”
Rob Wells, 43, from Bacup, says the opposing petition now has more signatures than any Rossendale councillor received votes when elected claiming that for it to be ignored would be ‘dodging democracy’.
He added: “There’s been no debate about whether we need one and I imagine Jake Berry has access to a lot better advice than the council in this area.”
However, Mr Berry has been accused of ‘saying one thing to residents and another in Parliament’ in a response from Rossendale’s Labour group, who are the lead group on the council.
Its Facebook response stated: “Rossendale council have already had conversations with both East Lancashire and Greater Manchester councils and they are not prepared to take our housing requirements or transit site - and let’s be honest, why would they? They have their own demand to deal with.
“So, to not include a site (which may never be built) and then the whole plan be thrown out would be irresponsible and stupid.
“Unfortunately, this is a classic example of where Jake Berry says one thing to residents, but does another in Parliament.”
Separately, the council has confirmed that the travellers that set up an unauthorised camp at Futures Park last week have moved on. Six caravans arrived at the site on an adopted highway behind the Business Centre on July 24.