Travellers: Residents’ voices ‘must be heard,’ says MP
ASHBOURNE’S MP Sarah Dines has paid another visit to Clifton to meet parish councillors who are objecting to plans to set up a site for travellers at a former coal yard.
Ms Dines says she listened to the views of the parish councillors with county councillor Steve Bull, after receiving correspondence from villagers.
She said: “After receiving multiple emails from residents in
Clifton regarding the rumours of a traveller site being proposed in the village, I visited with the parish council with County Council Councillor Steve Bull and other residents to hear their views on this matter.
“Planning matters are strictly a matter for local council bodies. However, I will also do my best to facilitate in any way I can to make sure that residents’ views are heard at the highest level.
“There is a real strength of feeling from residents against the site and concerns that the site is just not suitable for the Traveller families.
“I hope that when the district council discusses this planning application they take into account the views of local residents and adhere consistently with previous decisions and findings that the site was unsuitable for a variety of planning reasons which were raised to me by residents such as the need for intensive decontamination works, the lack of a public footpath and the flooding of the access road in poor weather.
“I will be following this planning application with interest and will be happy to meet with residents in Clifton again.
“I cannot stress enough how vital it is that residents’ voices are heard on this matter.”