Agenda item

The Executive RESOLVED that

(i)           the Executive Head of Regulatory be authorised to undertake an initial feasibility study for provision of a new Traveller site on land at Watchmoor Reserve; and

(ii)          a public consultation be conducted in parallel.

The Executive was informed that a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment undertaken in 2019 had identified a need for 35 new Gypsy and Traveller pitches and 12 new Travelling Showpeople plots in the borough over the next 18 years. Work on the Local Plan had identified sites that could meet this need. The land at Watchmoor Nature Reserve had been identified as a possible site and it was thought it might be able to accommodate 15 pitches and 8 plots; it was therefore proposed to undertake a feasibility study to assess the potential of the land for this use.

Members discussed this proposal and a number of concerns were raised about the location of the proposed site, including air quality issues, noise pollution, flooding, and its situation between a busy road and railway track. Furthermore, there was concern about the removal of this green space and its consequent impact on the Climate Strategy. The value of the amenity of Watchmoor Nature Reserve was also noted. Notwithstanding these concerns, the limited options available to the Council to address Gypsy and Traveller provision within the borough were also recognised.

The Executive reviewed the issues that would be addressed in the feasibility study, as identified in the agenda report, and agreed to add the following additional items to the study:

·         Opportunities to buy alternative land, in place of using Watchmoor Nature Reserve

·         The value of the amenity of the Nature Reserve

·         Any issues of flooding on the site

It was also agreed to conduct a public consultation, to include Gypsy & Traveller groups and the Police, in parallel with the feasibility study.

RESOLVED that

(i)        the Executive Head of Regulatory be authorised to undertake an initial feasibility study for provision of a new Traveller site on land at Watchmoor Reserve; and

(ii)      apublic consultation be conducted in parallel.

Note: It was noted for the record that a number of councillors declared they had received correspondence from residents and the campaign group. It was also noted that several councillors were acquainted with the petition organiser and some councillors had met campaigners at the affected site.