Three new travellers' sites may open in Leicester
Three areas have been earmarked as potential new sites for travellers.
Greengate Lane, near Birstall, and Beaumont Way and Red Hill Way, Beaumont Leys, could all become authorised sites.
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Land in Beaumont Leys is being considered for new travellers' sites in the city
Residents will have six weeks to give their views to Leicester City Council on the proposals, before a final decision is taken by the city's mayor Sir Peter Soulsby.
He said: "Constantly moving travellers on from unauthorised camps doesn't solve the problem – it just moves it to a different part of the city.
"By creating enough space in authorised, well-managed travellers' sites, we can help ensure they are properly run and secure sites, where residents will pay rent, council tax and charges for gas, electric and water."
The city's only existing authorised site, at Meynells Gorse, is full. Without extra authorised sites, other travellers visiting Leicester often camp illegally elsewhere, causing problems for residents.
The new sites – which are already owned by the council – would cater mainly for temporary tenants, but will have some pitches for long-term residents.
If approved, more than £1.5 million of Government money will be used by the local authority to prepare the sites, creating 26 family pitches. Each site would contain between six and 10 family pitches.
Residents at two sites said they were concerned.
Peter Mee, 50, lives in Barnwell Avenue, close to the proposed Red Hill Way site.
He said: "I don't think residents will allow this to happen.
"A lot of people feel very strongly about this."
Another local resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Last time travellers were here they tied their horses up at the bus stop.
"People couldn't even stand and wait for the bus.
"There's not much good feeling towards them around here."
Bernard O'Shaughnessy, 71, lives in Greengate Lane, about half-a-mile from the proposed site in Birstall.
He said: "Obviously it's going to have an effect on house prices in the area, which isn't good.
"But these people need to have somewhere to live and it is up to the council to make sure the site is well-run and does not disturb residents nearby."
Peter Smith, 42, who lives on the same road, said: "Travellers already use the site illegally. The council shouldn't reward that kind of behaviour by making it legal for them to stay there.
"It sets the wrong example."
Visit the website below to submit your views.
26 Comments
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by chanlewis20
Friday, March 16 2012, 9:02AM
“its all paid for (weddings for bfgw) by the tv producers! and yes, rent and council tax WILL be paid!!!!!!!”
by georgie389
Wednesday, March 07 2012, 2:38PM
“I agree with LE3_NHS, a retired friend of mine has to vacate her static home for a month every year to avoid paying council tax, she only has a pension to live on. Therefore, if any travellers are planning on staying anywhere long term they should pay council tax like everyone else. But they are by definition "travellers" so should not need to stay on any one site very long! I have to say the gypsy programme on TV has not done them any favours as there seems to be endless amounts of money to spend on parties, bapstism's, weddings etc. How many ordinary working people can afford the dresses, cakes, stretch limo's, hummers, horses and carriages that they pay out for? I know these are not necessarily from Leicestershire but a lot of the ones shown in this programme also live in permanent static homes, so by default they are not travellers!”
by kjannoyed
Thursday, March 01 2012, 9:28PM
“i think red ned you don't live near these sites. as i live just off of greengate lane. these people ae menat to ne travellers therefore travel??? they pay nothing to out local communities no tax...etc. but suddenly require the help of local council to buil them a home..yes build them one. jumpin the socila hosing queues. what about all those who sleep rough, or live in bedsits??? maybe the council should rethink how they deal with homeless people then and start buildaind everyong anew house so they don't intergrate into local soceity. these people need to move on we do not need 3 sites all near each other....may spread them out across the city after all these people are able to travel..and like there title!!”
by georgeisafish
Sunday, February 19 2012, 9:11PM
“no point in objecting, if the council wants to put a caravan site wherever, they will, regardless of any taxpayers opinion”
by Opinion8ed
Saturday, February 18 2012, 6:39PM
“I always think travellers rather romanticises them, a bit like perpetual nomads living wild and free and close to nature. Anyone in the know would realise its not really the case is it?
I would never use the term myself but people of my parents' generation used to say the eyeties are here again. Anyone know where that term comes from? I suspect it is derived from itinerants?”
by bimple
Saturday, February 18 2012, 3:00PM
“""They are, by their own definition, *Travellers" If they want something more permanent then they can't be true 'Travellers' - and they should buy or rent property just like anyone else."
Oh bless you. That is so CUTE!! You actually believe that to be travellers you have to travel? So so sweet! Do you also believe that beefeaters at the tower of london only eat beef and that firemen are men that, err, are on fire. Perhaps you think that Irish people who leave Ireland cease to be Irish too?
You can have lived in a house all your life and still be a traveller. It is a cultural and ethnic category, not a description of what they do 24/7!! Stop taking things so literally.”
by bimple
Saturday, February 18 2012, 11:29AM
“"I don`t know enough about travellers to make an informed opinion, but one thing is puzzling me... how are these travellers going to pay or have their taxes/rent whatever collected ??? Is someone from the council going to go down on a daily basis to collect it ??"
Denise, I am puzzled that you are puzzled. How do you think it will work??!! It is exactly the same as council housing; people pay rent! Why do people seem to think that Traveller sites are any different to council housing?”
by denise761
Friday, February 17 2012, 11:01PM
“I don`t know enough about travellers to make an informed opinion, but one thing is puzzling me... how are these travellers going to pay or have their taxes/rent whatever collected ??? Is someone from the council going to go down on a daily basis to collect it ??”
by ruweller
Friday, February 17 2012, 8:23PM
“Well done emmabrown I see you have minus 7 as you dared to go against the opinions of the anti traveller biggots, there seem to be so many people living in glass houses these days? Remember people, for every finger you point there are three pointing back at you!”
by ruweller
Friday, February 17 2012, 8:16PM
“Why are travellers the only group of people left that people feel they can openly have a go at? Doubt half of you would be so quick to share your opinions if the debate involved Muslims, asylum seekers etc? And don't give me the "pay tax" rubbish. The biggest abusers of the tax system are the richest in society, fact! So travellers are the only people who leave a mess for others to clear up? Buisness is the biggest poluter. Fact, so you and your kids always use the litter bins provided? I tell you this everyone must walk or drive through Leicester with thier damn eyes shut! It's a scruffy dirty, filthy hole! Is it the travellers who have created this urban feds pit? No it the rest of us! Shame on you all what a biggoted society we live in”