Published: Friday, 5th September, 2008 08:00
Travellers' site 'is big enough'
By Judith Green
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TRAVELLERS say provision for them in the borough is adequate and there is no need for expansion.
The views come as a county-wide consultation begins on the number of legal spaces for Gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople.
One family living on a site at Old Wokingham Road in Crowthorne, managed by Bracknell Forest Council, say everyone is happy with the provision already in place.
Rose Jones and her family have been living on the Easthampstead Park site for nearly 40 years and have fond memories of the area.
Mrs Jones said: “I have been living here for 39 years since the site was first built and I don’t think we need more space, we are very happy here.
“All my children grew up here very happily. They have moved away now but they still come back regularly and visit.
“There is no more space to expand the site but I don’t think there needs to be, there is plenty of room and we are very happy here.
“The site was built for families. Some have gone off and some new people have come in but it has always been the same.”
There are 13 plots on the site, which will come under the review by public consultation launched this week by the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA).
Across Berkshire, SEERA suggested a need for 78 camping sites for Gypsies and travellers over the next 10 years, and representatives from Bracknell Forest Council are happy with the suggestions.
Executive member for planning and transportation Cllr Mary Ballin said: “The council has been managing the site on Old Wokingham Road for some time and we regularly review the services we provide travellers on the site.
“Compared to a number of other councils in the South East, such as Kent, we have a very small number of sites to consider and this will be divided among the six councils in Berkshire.”
The council has been working for some years to provide permanent accommodation for Gypsies and travellers in the area and has outlined its view on the issue in its Local Development Plan.
During the consultation process four options for the site will be considered, including providing new spaces as close as possible to where Gypsies and travellers currently live.
Mrs Jones added: “I think there is a need for more sites, because people will always need somewhere to live, but we are very happy with the space we have here and I don’t think this site needs to be made any bigger.”
The consultation will end in November and the results will be analysed by SEERA who will then make their recommendations.
For more information on SEERA visit their website at www.southeast-ra.gov.uk.
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