"Hard decisions" on gypsy sites, Wycombe District Council says (From This Is Local London)

"Hard decisions" on gypsy sites, Wycombe District Council says

12:50pm Wednesday 9th December 2009 in

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“HARD decisions” will need to be made in finding gypsies places to live, a council boss said.

Wycombe District Council is to consult on proposed sites where it would allow planning permission for gypsies and travellers.

They hope this will stop illegal encampments such as a site in Hemley Hill near Princes Risborough.

The fate of this site will be decided by an independent planning appeal next year – and the council hopes it can win by offering alternative locations (see link, bottom of story).

Bosses could be forced to buy proposed sites, listed at the end of this story.

Councillor Jean Teesdale, cabinet member for planning, said: “We've all got concerns. Every person involved will have concerns about this issue, that's the whole point of the consultation.

“We've got to make some hard decisions. It's not easy and we know the public are concerned, and we share those concerns. We have seen the problems in Hemley Hill.

“My constituents, if they have seen the Bucks Free Press, will soon be on to me.”

Cllr Audrey Jones told Monday’s WDC cabinet meeting: “We need to be careful how we put this consultation out and make the public understand the reasons why we are doing it.”

She pointed out the council would have had to find the places anyway as this is a national requirement of councils from the Government.

Jeff Herschel, chairman of Chepping Wycombe Parish Council, which could see caravans at Ashwells in Tylers Green, said: “At the end of the day travellers need somewhere to stay.”

Yet he told the BFP he “wouldn’t be surprised” if plans were rejected as “crazy”.

“We look forward to seeing exactly what they propose.”

Malcolm Penny, vice chairman of Stokenchurch Parish Council said: “We want to know a great deal more about it before we make a considered response.”

The suggested sites are:

• The Willows, North Lee Lane, Bishopstone (1-5 pitches).

• Dry Banks, opposite Kiln Farm, Oxford Road, Stokenchurch (6-12 pitches and up to 2 traveller plots).

• Land adjoining Pettigrove, Lower Icknield Way, Longwick (up to 2 traveller plots).

• Park Mill Farm, Princes Risborough (1-12 pitches).

• Former agricultural research establishment, Bishopstone (1-12 pitches).

• Abbey Barn North, High Wycombe (1-5 pitches).

• Storage site, Oxford Road, Stokenchurch (1-5 pitches).

• Ashwells, Tylers Green, High Wycombe (1-12 pitches).