Row rumbles on over Glenview Park proposals

TRAVELLER GROUP RAISE OBJECTIONS TO COUNCIL PLANS FOR HALTING SITE

The row over the proposed refurbishment of the Glenview Park halting site on Ash Lane is rumbling on with a petition being handed into the County Council on Monday.

Over 250 signed letters of objection from local people in the community, both Travellers and non-Travellers were handed in expressing concern about the development proceeding and worried about what is being claimed is the lack of any consultation with Traveller representatives on the Local Traveller Consultative Committee.

Last week, the Traveller representative on the (LTACC) resigned due to what has been claimed is a lack of consultation in relation to current proposals for the Glenview halting site.

The Sligo Traveller Support Group has been asking people to register their concerns and opposition to the Sligo County Council plans.

STSG delivered the objections to the Council on Monday afternoon.

The LTACC members include County Councillors, local authority staff and representatives from the Traveller community.

Its role is to “advise in relation to the preparation and implementation of the Sligo Traveller Accommodation Programme” and “advise on the provision and management of accommodation for Travellers”.

Pavee Point, the Irish Traveller Movement and National Traveller Women’s Forum will also be lodging their own objections in relation to the proposed plans and lack of engagement with the LTACC.

Bernadette Maughan of the Sligo Traveller Support Group said: “We are delighted with the response we have gotten so far from the local community and support nationally.

“The function of the LTACC has been totally undermined and we are determined to do all we can to ensure that safe and appropriate Traveller accommodation is provided in partnership with the Traveller community and not in the topdown approach we have seen with regards to Glenview.

“We are also extremely worried that on Friday last Sligo County Council visited Glenview and told families that there would be cranes moving on site this week.

“This is a concern in two levels. It’s highly presumptuous of the Council who assume that local councillors will support the development at the June Council meeting and it also means they are beginning work before the deadline for public submissions on the proposed development has passed.”