Thousands object to gypsy and traveller site proposals in Leicester
Thousands of people have signed a petition against Leicester City Council's controversial plans for gypsy and traveller sites.
Nearly 2,700 people have objected to the council's proposals to create authorised and managed camps on three sites.
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Leicester city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is currently finalising which, if any, of the earmarked sites in Greengate Lane and Beaumont Way, Beaumont Leys, and Red Hill Way, Mowmacre Hill, should be developed
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is currently finalising which, if any, of the earmarked sites in Greengate Lane and Beaumont Way, Beaumont Leys, and Red Hill Way, Mowmacre Hill, should be developed.
The petition has been collected by the LE4 action group – made up of residents in Leicester and villages on its northern edge who are against the plans.
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Any petition with more than 1,500 signatures automatically triggers a debate among councillors. Just 713 of the signatories live in the city boundaries, but Sir Peter has said the matter is of such public interest the debate should take place tomorrow, regardless of procedure.
He said authorised pitches were needed to try to prevent illegal camps springing up in the city.
He said: "I have always said this is an issue that people feel very strongly about and it won't be possible to find a solution that doesn't upset someone.
"However, we will debate this because I want people to have their voices heard. That includes a lot of people from Birstall who, though they do not live within the city boundaries, have signed the petition."
A Beaumont Leys resident who signed the petition and did not want to be named, said: "We just hope sheer force of numbers will persuade the mayor not to go ahead with these sites.
"I suspect he will ignore the petition, though, because most of the people on it are not city council voters."
The council initially looked at 350 possible sites across Leicester but narrowed it down to the three, which it consulted on earlier this summer. About 1,500 people took part – the largest number in any recent council consultation – and Sir Peter is to due make his final decision in October.
A fourth option, Hoods Close, Mowmacre Hill, is also under consideration. However, this has not been mentioned by petitioners.
Beaumont Leys Ward councillor Sundip Meghani said: "It's a healthy part of local democracy that people can object to things that concern them and it has been brought to our attention that a lot of people do not want travellers' sites in Beaumont Leys.
"Ultimately it is the mayor's decision and it will be a difficult one, but I have confidence he will consider every view and make an informed decisions.
"It says a lot that he has said the debate should take place even though it does not meet the usual requirements. To his credit, the mayor is listening."
The meeting, which will take place at Leicester Town Hall at 5pm tomorrow, is open to members of the public.
It expected to be attended by a large number of residents. Previously public meetings on the issue have attracted hundreds of people and police have had to be called to stop tensions boiling over.
2 Comments
by Chunkie
Friday, May 10 2013, 9:46AM
“Kgleicester, Who gave you those rights? but who also does not want to pay for those services you claim as a right? Who has to pay for all the cleaning up, policing and crime your fellow travellers have caused for the last 30 odd years in this area US! Yet you claim you are travellers but you want to permanently live at an address??????? Come on you cant have your cake and eat it. You want every thing society has, yet you don't want to live by its rules and then expect us to feel sorry for you and also pay for it? Not a chance! You are either in or out, either get a house or get in your caravan and keep going but don't stop here!”
by Chunkie
Friday, May 10 2013, 9:34AM
“We don't want one at Red Hill either!”
by Kgleicester
Monday, November 19 2012, 10:54PM
“Not all travellers are the same we don't all bring crime. We have the right to a place to call home and an address. We need an address to have the right to a doctor and dentist and for the kids to go to school. People have to see both sides. We're not all the same, some of us are actually nice and if people gave us a chance then maybe people would see we're not so different to non-travellers.”
by RPatel
Saturday, September 29 2012, 11:06PM
“I watched the debate and Soulsby said he was glad to have Sue Waddington carry out the scrutiny testing over his decisions.
BUT
How can you achieve fair scrutiny from Sue Waddington re. Soulsby's site selections when she lives just round the corner from Soulsby in the South of Leicester, far far away from the proposed sites in the North......? No self interest there then?!
R.Patel
Birstall resident”
by the-market
Friday, September 21 2012, 11:50AM
“Sounds like a pop group from the 60's.
Pay Packet Pete and The Pocket Stuffers.
After years of performing to cling on fans they are now all deaf.”
by leicestermale
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 7:13AM
“some one wants a referendum on SPS ?
http://tinyurl.com/8c7kowu”
by PMichaels78
Sunday, September 16 2012, 11:30AM
“SPS is a joke.
Just watched the footage, he refused to give an opinion as he was advised that if he did he would be ruled out of any future decision making, that was the best indication that he will try to push ahead.
He also ducked all of the questions raised.
I say Terry was inspirational, we should follow his leaf and fight this all the way. Never give up.
We have tried a reasoned and fact based approach but in the end SPS is not listening in his head he has the right to be judge jury and executioner. He was put there and paid for by us to represent us. Let's force a judicial review and hold him to account, and expose his flawed and completely unethical methods to get his hands on more central funding.
Sir Peter can you look in the mirror and say you give a damn about honest hardworking people like us?
You are a lying manipulative disgrace of a man, do is all a favour and resign.
How dare you talk of the blight of travellers affecting our lives and then ram these ridiculous sites on our doorstep.
You have repeatedly ducked questions on whether these sites will bring more travellers and crime.
Resign”
by leicester
Saturday, September 15 2012, 11:13AM
“I have watched all the footage.I recomend everyone to see it.
One thing I was taught years ago that during an interview,someone scratching their nose or touching their lips was either lieing or just floating.Porky Palmer must have been well aware of count von count petes statement,judging by his actions!Count von pete the same.
Funily enough,it does look like a sketch from The Muppets.
Seeing as count von count pete had to mention the employers of the proposal person,for whatever reason,may I say ....well done Jelson for employing an articulate person.”
by sonjel
Saturday, September 15 2012, 8:53AM
“Watch it on line. Fast forward to about 44 minutes for the LE4 bit.
http://tinyurl.com/8g5z6nd”
by PMichaels78
Saturday, September 15 2012, 7:28AM
“Well done LE4, really clear and articulate summary of how we are all feeling.
Who holds SPS to account for this appalling breach of his powers? My fear is that the LM is in his pocket and he will sweep everything else under the massive rug in his office.
PS meant to click the green arrow on your first post, my mobile is really small, sorry!”